Demolition of Fairfield University’s Landmark Alumni Hall

FAIRFIELD, CT —The demolition of one of the longest standing buildings on Fairfield University’s campus, Alumni Hall, took place this morning, Monday, April 26.

The original Alumni Hall architect, John Phelan, was onsite for a final walk through of the building, accompanied by Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, Vice President Marketing & Communications Jennifer Anderson, Vice President for University Advancement Wally Hallas, Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann, Men’s Basketball Coach Jay Young, and Vice President for Facilities Management David Frassinelli. Fairfield Prep President Christian Cashman attended, along with Prep’s Vice President of Advancement Rob Cottle, and Leadership Gifts Officer Mike Connelly. Mr. Phelan’s daughter, Fairfield’s Assistant Director, Recreation Betsy Blagys, and his son John Phelan were also present.

Under Frassinelli’s leadership, Fairfield’s modern campus has evolved and expanded. The Frassinelli family has had a long association with the University, starting with the construction of Xavier and Berchmans Halls in the 1940s. They built most of the buildings up to the 1980s, about one million square-feet.

Constructed in 1959, Alumni Hall has been a landmark facility in Stag Country for more than 60 years – home to the University’s three-time MAAC Champion men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the 11-time MAAC Champion volleyball team. The venue has also housed concerts throughout the decades, with memorable performances by the Beach Boys, The Byrds, John Legend, and more.

Alumni Hall is one of the earliest pre-stressed concrete structures of this kind ever attempted. Engineering magazines from the time noted that the eleven 160-foot pre-cast arches used in the building’s construction were a record-breaking span for pre-cast arch ribs used in the U.S.

Construction began this Spring on a new Arena & Convocation Center that is being built by Gilbane Building Co. on the current site of Alumni Hall. Designed by Architects and Planners of Centerbrook, Conn., the new 85,000-square foot, 3,500-seat Convocation Center will boast a state-of-the-art broadcast and media center, luxury seating and lounge areas, and revolutionize the Stags home game and campus event experience. Projected to open in 2022, the facility will be home to Fairfield’s Division I basketball and volleyball programs, Fairfield Prep basketball and will host convocations, concerts, and gatherings for the University and the neighboring community at large.