in 1985, william d. mullins, a state representative from ludlow, suggested that the university needed a multipurpose arena and convocation center to help expand the athletic program and assist in the university's growth. he died in 1986, but the state went ahead with the building of the complex, naming it for him. it replaced the curry hicks cage, the 1930s-era basketball gymnasium, as home of the minutemen basketball teams. in addition, it allowed the hockey team, which had been downgraded to club status since the late 1970s, to be elevated to division i status.