.png)
It's the end of an era in Friartown. PIC: Providence Business News/Dunkin' Donuts Center
Everyone loves a contest at The Dunk. Yes, it barely scrapes 12,000 in capacity, just a tad bit enough to keep its roof on. Speaking of the roof, it seemingly leaks in the middle of every big game, causing delays and hardships for just about everyone involved. Press row is packed to the brim,
But there’s never been a venue in college sports that was so reminiscent of a student body like Providence College’s very own, The Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Scrappy, imperfectly perfect, and - most importantly - belonging to the fans & students of Providence College.
Take it from Ed Cooley last year. “We want to be the ugliest team…we’re gritty, we’re nasty, we’re ugly.” While the Dunk isn’t winning any prom king awards like Ed Cooley mentioned last year, it won the hearts of so many across the nation.
Dunkin’ Donuts’ naming rights agreement with the RICCA expired on June 30, but all parties have reportedly agreed that the signage referencing Dunkin’ Donuts can remain up until a succeeding brand has been named. So, The Dunk lives on for now…but its days are numbered.
While the venue itself isn’t going anywhere, the signs referencing New England’s favorite coffee brand are slated to come down and be replaced within the coming days. Brendan McGair, Eli Sherman, and others have reported that the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority is in agreement with Amica Mutual Insurance, a Lincoln-based firm that has been historically active in the Rhode Island community.
There will be some that forever refer to the building as the Providence Civic Center, whose name originally went on the building when it was constructed in 1972. The Providence Reds - the AHL team that later became the current rendition of the Hartford Wolf Pack - were the first team to grace the Civic Center. Pink Floyd and Frank Sinatra performed there. And the Friars followed suit, having outgrown its on-campus confines at Alumni Hall, within spitting distances of most of PC’s dorms.
The Providence Civic Center behind the legendary Biltmore Hotel in 1972.
The post-Buddy Cianci-hangover became damning to the city of Providence in the ‘80’s, and the Civic Center went with it. So to lure tourists back in, up went the Omni Hotel, and the Rhode Island Convention Center was soon after. And in 2001, it wasn’t by any means the crown jewel, but it was certainly attractive enough for Dunkin’ Donuts to invest in a ten-year deal to showcase its brand on the playing surface and the walls.
Buddy Cianci came back into office in 1991 and played a key role in getting Dunkin’ signed up, say some Providence historians. His comments certainly would suggest it: “For 28 years, the Providence Civic Center has been a great source of pride for its owners and investors - the taxpayers of Providence,” he said after the naming rights deal went through. “This pride will remain strong for many, many years to come if we, the owners of the newly renamed Dunkin’ Donuts Center, ensure that its future is secure and that our investment is safe.”
Well, Cianci - in the prophetic way that only he really could - was right in so many senses. Providence’s attendance has been tried and true over the years; despite having the lowest enrollment in the league for nearly every season of the past decade, the Friars consistently rank in the top-half of the conference in men’s basketball attendance. And, for good reason; the Dunk’s environment is just so daunting.
Hell, does your team’s fan base have a petition to put a statue of John Fanta outside it the arena?
So, yes - the nameplates will change, and just as they did in 2001, it may feel like some memories will go with it. But for so many, it will always be The Dunk.