Conte Forum 1988
Inspired by the decision to construct a new football stadium in 1957, BC alumni supported the construction of a gymnasium containing a basketball court as well as a regulation-size hockey rink. Located along Beacon Street, south of the Middle Campus, the gymnasium was named Roberts Center, after Mr. and Mrs. Vincent P. Roberts, generous benefactors of the college. The hockey rink, built parallel to the football stadium, was called McHugh Forum, after Fr. Patrick J. McHugh, SJ, a popular college dean.
To provide larger and more modern facilities, in 1988 the Silvio O. Conte Forum was constructed on the Lower Campus, named after U.S. Representative Silvio O. Conte ('49), thirty-year veteran Massachusetts congressman and former BC football letterman. Connected to Alumni Stadium and with a seating capacity of 8,500 for basketball, and 7,784 for hockey, Conte Forum is now the main area for men's and women's ice hockey and basketball, as well as the location of the athletic offices for most varsity sports at Boston College. Conte Forum also accommodates numerous conferences, concerts and entertainments, including the annual scholarship fund-raiser, Pops on the Heights, featuring the Boston Pops Orchestra.