 Exterior | |
 Interactive map ofJames Lynah Rink | |
| Location | Cornell University Ithaca, NY |
|---|---|
| Owner | Cornell University |
| Operator | Cornell University |
| Capacity | 4,267 (hockey) |
| Surface | 200x85ft (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | June 5, 1956 |
| Opened | March 21, 1957 |
| Expanded | 2007 |
| Architect | Von Storch, Evans & Burkavage |
| Tenants | |
| Cornell Big Red Men's and Women's Ice Hockey | |
Lynah Rink (pronounced LIE-nuh) is a 4,267-seat hockeyarena atCornell University inIthaca, New York, that opened in 1957. Named afterJames Lynah, Class of 1905, who was the director of Cornell athletics from 1935 to 1943, it is home to theBig Red men's and women'sice hockey teams.[1]Lynah has been home to hockey greats such asKen Dryden,Joe Nieuwendyk,Matt Moulson,Digit Murphy, andOlympic Gold MedalistsRebecca Johnston andBrianne Jenner.
The building is aquonset-shaped structure covered with multi-colored (orange, tan, black, and brown) brick wallcladding set in acommon bond pattern. Projecting from the facade of the structure is a one-story rectangular wing flanked on either side by two vertical appendages, which have multi-paned colored glass windows. The one-story wing has a strip ofcasement windows. The stairway is situated on the west side of the building. A white concrete block structure with wall buttresses connects Lynah Rink to Bartels Hall.[2] It was constructed for $500,000 with a donation fromWalter S. Carpenter Jr., chairman and former president of DuPont (and Cornell class of 1910)[3] whose gift came with the stipulation that he did not want his name on the building. The facility was designed by Van Storch, Evans, and Burkavage ofWaverly, PA and constructed by Streeter Associates ofElmira, NY.[4]
The rink opened on March 21, 1957 with a match between theNew York Rangers (NHL) and theRochester Americans (AHL) in front of 4200 spectators. It was subsequently dedicated on April 6, 1957 and named theJames Lynah Skating Hall,[5]
In 1995, during a visit by Taiwan's then-president,Lee Teng-hui, PhD ’68, Lynah was stocked with desktop computers and fax machines, and used as a media center for journalists from around the world.[3]
The rink floor and drainage system were renovated in 2000.[3] March 2006 saw a major renovation project to add 19,500 square feet (1,810 m2) to the rink. The additions and renovations included 464 new seats, upgraded locker rooms for both the men's and women's squads and their opponents, trainers' rooms, coaches' offices and a study area for players. A new scoreboard was added as well as preferred seating and a tunnel for the players.[6]The renovation brought total seat capacity to 4,267.[3]
Fans of Cornell's Hockey program, aptly named the "Lynah Faithful," are among the loudest and most dedicated fans in the country, making Lynah Rink, many believe, college hockey's most hostile arena. The raucous crowd support gives the Big Red the largest home ice advantage in college hockey, losing under 20% of their games on home ice since Lynah opened in 1957.[7] The Lynah Faithful are cheered on by one cowbell, usually played by a zealous undergraduate,[8] but only during the second and third periods (including overtime) at approximately mid-period. Many of the other regular chants of the Faithful are listed on a website, which serves as a useful primer in the history and traditions of Cornell Hockey when initiating new students into the Lynah Faithful.[9] After the end of all games atLynah, when the opposing team leaves the ice, the Cornell team gathers at center ice and raises their sticks to salute the faithful as they applaud the team. This is known as theLynah salute.
Cornell's men's team has had great success at Lynah Rink, closing in on its 500th win on home ice. Its record at Lynah was 15-0-1 during the 2004–05 season, 15-0-0 during the 2002–03 season, and 14-1-1 during the 2001–02 season. Postseason success at Lynah has been equally impressive. Since Lynah Rink hosted its first postseason game in 1966, Cornell's men's team has a postseason record of 38-7-2 in games played there. During the same period they were 14-1 in single elimination games with the sole loss coming against Providence in 1978 and 12-3 in multi-game series.[10]
Cornell has long been criticized for its policies regarding the distribution of season tickets to men's hockey home games. Students often wait in line for nights to get tickets; however, some believe that this is part of the experience of being among Lynah Faithful. It is common to see students wearingT-shirts proudly announcing, "I did my time in the line." In 2005, despite efforts to improve the process over previous years, Cornell was criticized[11] for creating chaos when the Athletic Department announced where students had to go for tickets. In 2006, this was alleviated when the ticket line was preselected at random. During the 2009–10 Hockey season, students did not have to wait in line for season passes given growing concerns over swine flu. Instead the tickets were distributed via a lottery. Beginning in the fall of 2010, Cornell Athletics began distributing tickets via online ticket sales, giving priority to students who had previously purchased season tickets.[12]
42°26′45″N76°28′39″W / 42.445783°N 76.477435°W /42.445783; -76.477435
