In Hartford, Kelli Stacy reports the UConn BOT yesterday "took a step toward the construction of a new ice hockey arena on campus" approving plans for the facility. The arena will "seat 2,500 and be located adjacent to and connected to the Freitas Ice Forum." School officials have until Oct. 31 to "submit a financing plan for the project." A UConn athletics spokesperson said that the project is "anticipated to have a '4-year window' after construction begins." UConn will "continue to play a majority of their games at the XL Center," but the new arena will "allow for roughly six to seven games to be played on campus" (HARTFORD COURANT, 9/27).
ON THE DOWN-LOW: In Boston, Frank Dell'Apa noted the Revolution are "keeping quiet about potential stadium plans" in the city, raising "suspicion that either the effort has failed once again or things have progressed to a critical stage and they don't want to jinx anything." The Frontage Road/Widett Circle area "remains the favorite for a site, though nobody is letting on." However, the Revolution are "confirming that the stadium would have a grass surface" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/26).
SLIGHT MAKEOVER: In L.A., Ben Bolch reports the blue strip of court inside UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in front of the team benches "now features 'WESCOM' in white block letters" as part of the 10-year, $38M deal between the credit union and school announced yesterday. An "unspecified portion of the sponsorship money will be used for long-term maintenance of the arena," which underwent extensive renovations before the '12-13 basketball season. Funds will also "go toward athletic scholarships, among other uses." There will also be Wescom signage "on the scoreboard and outside the arena displaying the new arena name" (L.A. TIMES, 9/27).
