DECC

The recently-renovated and historic Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, arguably one of the top college hockey complexes in the country has served as the Bulldogs' home for 40 years.

Located on the waterfront near Duluth's famous Aerial Lift Bridge and Canal Park, the "DECC," has become a landmark in its somewhat short history. Built in 1966 at a cost of $6.5 million, the Arena portion of the complex houses a 190-by-85 foot hockey rink with 5,494 seats (all with great sightlines)--and approximately 100 standing room, and six locker rooms, including the recently-remodeled $2 million locker room facility now occupied by the men and women Bulldogs.

The rink area is extremely versatile in it can be converted into a different "stage" allowing the DECC Arena to host many concerts, dinners, conventions,and shows. The DECC was the site of the NCAA I men's hockey championships in both 1968 and 1981 and hosted the sold-out 2003 Women's NCAA I Frozen Four. (It will host that same event in 2008). A spacious lobby, where ticket sales originate, separates the Arena from the Auditorium. The Auditorium plays host to concerts, symphonies, plays, operas, high school and college graduations, and a variety of other activities.

Paulucci Hall, located beneath the DECC lobby, is the center for many post-game activities and other social functions.

In 1976, an addition was built -- Pioneer Hall and the Duluth Curling Club -- to the Arena-Auditorium. Pioneer Hall contains a hockey rink and a smaller seating capability with fold-out bleacher seating. Pioneer Hall is also the home of the Duluth Curling Club with eight curling rinks and lounge area.

Artist's rendering of proposed DECC expansion

The $30 million Convention Center, which is the site of numerous social, business and entertainment events, became part of the DECC complex in the mid 1990s and was expanded four summers ago while an OMNIMAX Theatre opened in the spring of 1996 and a 10-screen theatre complex made its debut nine years later.

An adjacent parking lot and ramp allows for plenty of close parking, and a indoor skywalk system -- the Northwest Passage -- links the DECC to Duluth's downtown district.

GRIGGS FIELD

Northern Minnesota's premier outdoor athletic venue, Griggs Field at James S. Malosky Stadium has been the home of Bulldog football for the past 40 seasons and to UMD women's soccer since 1994.

And, talk about a home field advantage. In 188 lifetime appearances at Griggs Field heading into the 2006 season, the Bulldogs have posted a 140-44-4 overall football record for an impressive .755 winning percentage. Only four times has UMD failed to produce a .500 or above record at the on-campus facility, which named after Richard L. Griggs and legendary Bulldog football coach Jim Malosky. Women's soccer has likewise found plenty of success at Malosky Stadium, going 64-18-5 at the on-campus facilty while turning in a pair of perfect home records (10-0 in 1995 and 7-0 in 1998).

A new synthetic grass (A-Turf) football playing surface was installed at Malosky Stadium in the summer of 2004, just five years after it underwent a $1.6 million facelift. That renovation included the installation an eight-lane all weather track. In addition to housing the football, women's soccer and track Bulldogs, the 4,000-seat Griggs Field also hosts a number of high school football and track and field events throughout the year as well as University intramural activities.

ROMANO GYMNASIUM

Romano Gymnasium has housed UMD men's basketball for over a half-century and women's basketballball and volleyball for the past three decades. Romano Gymnasium officially opened with a 73-72 men's basketball triumph against Gustavus Adolphus College on December 12, 1953. The 2,759-seat facility, which received an extensive $2 million upgrade following the 1986-87 season and another minor makeover this past summer, was renamed in honor of the late Ralph Romano, UMD's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics from 1969 to 1983, in February 1988.

BULLDOG PARK

The UMD baseball team plays its home games at Bulldog Park which is located adjacent to Griggs Field. Originally constructed in 1988, Bulldog Park's grass field was reconditioned in 2000.

WARD WELLS FIELD HOUSE

UMD also has the Ward Wells Field House which was completed in 1975. It contains an indoor running track and room for tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

JUNCTION AVENUE FIELD