Arthur R. Driscoll Rink - Roger Williams Hawks
- Paul Baker
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43
Arthur R. Driscoll Memorial Arena
272 Elsbree St.
Fall River, MA 02720
Year Opened: 1973
Capacity: 1,500
The Hawks Are Back on the Ice
Roger Williams was a Puritan minister, theologian and author who founded Providence Plantations in 1636. This settlement eventually became the state of Rhode Island. Williams was a staunch advocate of religious freedom, separation of church and state, and fair dealings with the local Native Americans. His Separatist views and belief that the Church of England was corrupt were deemed too radical by the Puritan leaders of Plymouth and Boston, so they expelled Williams from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Roger Williams University was founded in 1956 and named for Rhode Island’s founder. The school actually began operations in 1919 as the Rhode Island branch of Northeastern University before receiving its own charter from the state.
The school moved to its current location in Bristol in 1969. Today, RWU’s 5,000 students study in 50 academic programs, including one of the only Marine Biology programs and one of the only Historic Preservation programs in the country. Roger Williams offers the only Juris Doctor (law degree) in Rhode Island.
2025 marks the return of NCAA hockey to Roger Williams after a 27-year absence. But this version of the Hawks is not the first squad to represent the school. Hockey teams representing Roger Williams College (at the time known as Roger Williams Junior College) played as far back as 1966. They competed in the NAIA, playing at the Boston Arena (now Matthews Arena) against other teams from around New England.
After winning a pair of New England titles, the school moved to Division Three in 1984. The school discontinued the hockey program in 1998 for financial reasons. In recent years, the school has sponsored a very successful club hockey program, which school officials have stated provided the impetus to restore the varsity program. The school will also ice a women’s hockey program beginning in 2026.
The Greater Boston area experienced a hockey boom in the early 1970s due to the popularity of Bobby Orr and the Big, Bad Bruins teams of the era. In response to the increased demand for hockey rinks and ice time, facilities were built throughout the state.
Driscoll Rink in Fall River was one of these facilities. Driscoll Rink was named for Arthur R. Driscoll, a Fall River native who worked at the Massachusetts State House for 52 years, retiring as sergeant-at-arms in 1962. Mr. Driscoll, who passed away in 1966, was a great supporter of local skating programs.
Food & Beverage 1
There is a small snack bar in the Driscoll rink lobby, which has a menu posted listing a variety of breakfast sandwiches and snacks for purchase. Unfortunately, the snack bar was not open during Stadium Journey’s visit. Fans have to make do with a quartet of vending machines selling Pepsi products, chips, and candy bars. There is a Dunkin’ Donuts located right across the street, so you’ll likely see a few fans run out during intermission to grab a hot drink to enjoy in this chilly rink.
Atmosphere 2
When the lights inside the arena dimmed seconds before the teams were to take the ice, a fog machine was activated, and I began to have high hopes that this would not be your standard small-rink game presentation. Sadly, those hopes were dashed almost immediately when I heard the sound coming out of the portable speakers set up for the PA announcer. The players entering the rink in a cloud of smoke turned out to be the highlight of the evening, by a long shot.
These FMC-operated rinks just don’t have the infrastructure needed to create any kind of elaborate in-game entertainment. There are no video boards, graphics, or sound systems in-house that fans are used to these days. Everything is dependent on what the staff schleps into the rink themselves. Thus, you get portable, muffled sound, basic scoreboards, and Spotify playlists played off of someone’s tablet. It’s all very basic and dependent on Wi-Fi signals. There are typically no promotions to speak of.
A significant negative factor during our visit was the fact that the person doing the pregame announcements sounded totally indifferent and didn’t even bother to announce goals or penalties during the game. This is a game experience that has nowhere to go but up.
So why two points? The fans brought a lot of energy. Stadium Journey visited Driscoll for Roger Williams’ first-ever NCAA game, and the 332 fans in attendance were loud and really into the action. Even though this rink is 25 minutes from campus, there was a good turnout from the student body, many of whom came dressed up for a Halloween costume contest.
Neighborhood 2
Driscoll Rink is located in the North End of the city of Fall River, Massachusetts, a city of 94,000 residents on the Massachusetts-Rhode Island state line. The city was a textile manufacturing leader in the 19th century, and the industry still casts a large shadow over the city today. Visitors to the city will likely be headed here to explore sites related to Lizzie Borden or Battleship Cove, a collection of World War II-era naval vessels.
Driscoll Rink is located on the grounds of Durfee High School, in a mixed residential/business area. Visitors will find a McDonald’s, a Dunkin’ Donuts, a Papa Gino’s, and a Newport Creamery in the immediate area of the rink, but little else. Fall River does have its share of excellent restaurants throughout the city, particularly if you’re interested in Portuguese cuisine. Visitors will likely head on to nearby Providence or Newport for their optimum dining or lodging options.
Fans 2
Stadium Journey took in Roger Williams’ inaugural NCAA game, which took place on Halloween night in 2025. An announced crowd of 332 fans took in the action, which is a very respectable number for this level of hockey in this area. We fully expect attendance for the Hawks to settle into the “friends and family” zone of 100-200 fans per game. The fact that Driscoll is almost a half-hour drive from campus is sure to prevent a large turnout from the student body.
Access 4
Driscoll Rink is easily accessible by car, as it is located just off Route 24. Interstate 195 travels through Fall River just a couple of miles south of the arena. Fans using public transportation can take the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority’s 108 bus to the arena.
A large parking lot on site provides ample parking, and a small lobby provides a warm place for fans to seek refuge from the chilly rink during intermission. Seating consists of four sets of wooden bleachers on both sides of the rink. Netting obscures views from all points in the rink, but won’t hinder your ability to watch the action on the ice. There is standing room on both ends of the rink. Small restrooms are located on the eastern side of the building. Men, time your visits wisely, as you’ll be competing with the players for space during intermission.
The layout of many of these FMC rinks is identical, so if you’ve been to one of the other ones (i.e., Hetland Arena in New Bedford or Horgan Rink in Auburn), you’ll get a serious case of déjà vu.
Return on Investment 5
Admission to a Hawks game is seven dollars. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the rink. If the snack bar is open during your visit, prices are reasonable. If not, the vending machines don’t rip you off. If you grab a hot beverage and a donut at the Dunkin’ across the street, that won’t break the bank either. A D-3 hockey game is a very affordable entertainment option for local sports fans.
Extras 1
An extra point is awarded for the return of NCAA hockey to Roger Williams University after a 27-year absence.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing especially flashy or fancy about Driscoll Rink, and it certainly isn’t convenient for fans of Roger Williams hockey, but that doesn’t matter for Hawk hockey fans, who have been waiting almost three decades for a return to the NCAA. Surely there are more permanent plans on the horizon for the Hawks, so stay tuned…
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