"We are proud to be partnering with St. John's University. Their academic programs are highly regarded and to be able to provide guidance, assistance and educational opportunities for students looking to enter the sports and entertainment industry is something special," said Tom Pistore, President Commercial Business Operations at UBS Arena. "We look forward to working with these bright young minds and the university moving forward."
The team and venue will also participate in speaker series opportunities with the university including lectures, panels, symposiums and seminars. As part of the agreement, UBS Arena and the Islanders will be providing several internships on an annual basis for Tobin and Collins College students, as well as hosting an annual career fair with St. John's at UBS Arena.
"The business of higher education is a collaborative one," said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John's University. "St. John's is excited to partner with UBS Arena and the New York Islanders to provide a dynamic variety of new learning and career opportunities for our students with scholarship, service, and career success-hallmarks of the signature St. John's experience-for all involved in this partnership."
During the St. John's vs. Kansas NCAA Men's Basketball game this evening at UBS Arena, leadership from the building and the university along with Sparky, the New York Islanders' mascot and St. John's mascot Johnny Thunderbird will take the court during a timeout in the first half to commemorate this new partnership.
Made for music and built for hockey, the metropolitan area's newest premier entertainment and sports venue and home of the four time Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders is located in Elmont, N.Y. and developed in partnership with Oak View Group, the New York Islanders, and Jeff Wilpon, with Sterling Project Development serving as development manager. Providing a significant boost to the regional economy, especially when economic activity has been greatly impacted by the pandemic, the world-class entertainment venue, with its timeless and classic design, will bridge its iconic past with today's advanced technology and amenities.
The $1.1 billion multi-purpose, state of the art arena located on the historic grounds of Belmont Park will host more than 150 major events annually while delivering an unmatched live entertainment experience including clear sightlines and premier acoustics. UBS Arena is designed to hold up to 19,000 people for concerts and audiences up to 17,250 for NHL games. In an effort to build a greener future, UBS Arena intends on being carbon neutral for operations before 2024, which will make it the first arena to do so on the eastern United States seaboard.
