UNH gets $4 million donation for Whittemore Center upgrades to boost hockey programs

DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire announced Friday it is receiving a $4 million gift from Anthony DiLorenzo, owner of Key Auto Group, to support upgrades to the Whittemore Center, home of the school's hockey teams.

DiLorenzo’s gift supplements $6 million in state funding included in the recently adopted two-year state budget and brings the project closer to an eventual goal of $16 million, UNH announced. This project is in addition to the nearly $14 million UNH previously invested to update the ice surface, audio/visual technology, HVAC systems and other facilities improvements. The Whittemore Center opened in 1995.

The upgraded arena will feature larger, more functional and accessible multi-use locker rooms for men’s and women’s hockey, an expanded strength and conditioning space, and new offices for coaches and administrative staff, according to UNH. The upgrades will also benefit the UNH field hockey team and paralympic athletes that compete in sled hockey on UNH’s Northeast Passage team, according to the school.

UNH has been working in recent years to upgrade the arena as its hockey teams, formerly national powers, have struggled. The Wildcat men's team was 11-20-3 last winter, last had a winning record in 2013-14 and last played in the NCAA tournament in 2013. The UNH women's team was 12-21-3 last winter and has only one winning season since 2009-10, which is the last time it reached the NCAA tournament.

Key Auto Group gets naming rights

UNH announced the Whittemore Center, home of the 6,500-plus-seat hockey arena, and the 158,000-square-foot Hamel Recreation Center, which is attached to the Whittemore Center, will now be known together as the Key Auto Group Complex.

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“As a longtime supporter of UNH hockey, this is an exciting opportunity to help UNH athletics and the university meet their goal to create a more competitive state-of-the-art complex that will attract and retain talented student-athletes, draw in more fans and benefit the entire community,” said DiLorenzo, a member of UNH's Class of 1987, in a prepared statement. “I hope I inspire other corporate and individual businesses to become a part of this project.”

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Gov. Chris Sununu publicly supported the state funding awarded to the UNH project.

“Investments in this facility — by UNH, the state, and generous private supporters like Anthony — will be critical to ensuring the university’s Division 1 teams are equipped with Division 1 facilities," Sununu said in a prepared statement. "This project is central to continue building the brand of the university, recruiting students and quality athletes and keeping the team a point of pride for us all for years to come.”

DiLorenzo, a longtime corporate partner of UNH athletics, founded Key Auto Group, which includes 12 new and used car dealerships and collision centers in New Hampshire and more than 20 other locations around the country.

“This beneficial donation is a significant investment in UNH athletics and will impact our student-athletes by enhancing their overall experience and allowing them to strive for excellence and compete for conference championships and on a national stage,” said Allison Rich, UNH director of athletics. 

UNH continues to seek donations. Information: UNHWildcats.com/SupportTheWhitt.