The University of Maine’s athletic department has released the design for the new basketball court in its forthcoming $80 million arena.
UMaine athletics shared additional renderings and details for Morse Arena, the $80 million basketball and football operations facility that is expected to be completed and in use during the 2027-28 basketball season. Construction began this past fall.
The university shared additional details on Friday about the design for Chappelle court, which like the school’s current court in the Pit at Memorial Gym, is named for former UMaine player and coach Skip Chappelle.
The new 106,000-square-foot venue will hold 2,660 seats for basketball games.
“Chairback seats with clear views of the court, enhanced amenities and easy access to concessions and restrooms will become the new standard at Black Bear basketball games,” according to a UMaine press release. “A newly created student section and designated area for the Screamin’ Black Bears Pep Band will enhance the game-day experience, while two high-definition video boards and state-of-the-art sound will help create one of the best home-court advantages in the region.”
In addition to the new basketball facilities, Morse Arena will house an operations center for the school’s football program.
The entire project is expected to cost around $80 million, the athletic department said in October.
The arena construction is supported by a $10 million gift from 1964 UMaine graduates Phillip and Susan Morse, along with the $170 million investment made by the Harold Alfond Foundation to support the school’s athletics facilities master plan.
“The court design reflects UMaine’s commitment as Maine’s flagship and the state’s only NCAA Division I program, featuring a bold outline of the state at midcourt surrounding the historic Maine athletics logo,” the school said in its Friday press release. “‘University of Maine’ text will be displayed above the court, flanked by signage celebrating the history and success of the basketball programs. Courtside LED tables will provide additional branding, sponsorship and fan-engagement opportunities.”
The new facility will also include preferred seating with access to a new “Pine Club” that the school says will “serve as a premium event space for the university, functioning as an upscale club section on basketball and football game days, where fans can enjoy unique food and beverage offerings in a welcoming, first-class environment.”
Chappelle, the UMaine court’s namesake, became the school’s first-ever NBA draft pick in 1962 and coached at his alma mater for 17 seasons. He was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
