Tinsley Center - Bridgewater State Bears
- Paul Baker
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
Tinsley Center
325 Plymouth St.
Bridgewater, MA 02324
Year Opened: 2002
Capacity: 1,000
Bridgewater Basketball
Bridgewater State University is one of nine state universities in the Massachusetts Public Higher Education System. It was founded in 1840 by Horace Mann as the Bridgewater Normal School. As one of the first schools in the nation established to train teachers, it is considered by many to be the “Birthplace of teacher education in America” and has one of the most prominent Teaching and Education programs in the country. The university currently has an undergraduate enrollment of just under 10,000 students, with an additional 2,000 students enrolled in graduate programs.
The Tinsley Center is an 84,000 square-foot facility that opened in 2002. It serves as home to the school’s basketball and volleyball teams. Athletic Department offices, classrooms, laboratories, and a walking/jogging track are also contained in the facility. It is named in honor of Adrian Tinsley, who was the first female president of the college, serving from 1989-2002. She oversaw the expansion and modernization of the school as it transitioned from a college to a university. Under her leadership, Bridgewater State became the second-largest public school in Massachusetts.
Basketball teams have represented Bridgewater State since 1905. Today, the Bears compete in Division III’s MASCAC Conference, consisting of teams from around the state of Massachusetts. The Bears men’s basketball teams have qualified for the NCAA D-3 Tournament eight times, reaching the sweet sixteen in 2009. The women’s team has qualified for the NCAA tournament twelve times.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a snack bar in the lobby of the Tinsley Center, named “The Bear Trap.” They take the “snack” very seriously here, as the featured items served are nachos and popcorn. Assorted candy, chips, protein bars, and the like round out the selections. Fans looking for a cold drink will find cans of Pepsi products and water. A pair of nearby vending machines offers up Gatorade and more snack items. No item at the Bear Trap costs more than five dollars.
Atmosphere 2
The game day atmosphere at the Tinsley Center is pretty standard for a small school. There isn’t a lot of technology to be found here, so you won’t find a lot of bells and whistles to distract you from the action down on the court. Even when there is a big crowd filling up the bleachers at the Tinsley Center, there isn’t a whole lot of noise at a Bears basketball game.
You’ll find much that is familiar here at Bridgewater State. The cheerleading squad lines up along the near baseline, performing throughout the game. Although the pep band has been present in the past, they were not in attendance for the Bears’ 2025 season opener.
The sound system is put to use with music during play stoppages, and the PA announcer does a solid job of providing game information, although he was very hard to understand during Stadium Journey’s visit. Simple scoreboards hang on three sides of the court, displaying basic game information. This is an old-school presentation that looks much like it must have when the building first opened.
Neighborhood 3
The Tinsley Center is located about a mile from the Bridgewater town commons, which is where you’ll find most of the action in this small town. Visitors looking for a place to eat before or after the game will have to take a short drive to find most of the local options. Most of the choices in the area are fast-food chains, but locals recommend several other choices, including Barrett’s Alehouse, Emma’s Pizza, Gonzalez House, or the local outpost of 99 Restaurant. There are no lodging options in the immediate area around campus. Visitors will have to check out the areas closer to the highways.
Fans visiting Bridgewater from out of town will likely want to continue to Boston, located 25 miles to the north, or Cape Cod, about 30 miles to the southeast, for more dining, lodging, and points of interest. Also located nearby are the coastal towns of Plymouth and New Bedford.
Fans 3
As is the case at most small schools in the area, you won’t find a huge crowd at the Tinsley Center. The average BSU crowd numbers between 200-300 fans, with many of those in attendance having a personal connection with the players down on the court. You’ll be sure to find family members from both teams in attendance, along with a decent turnout from the student body. With the majority of the Bears’ schedule consisting of teams from nearby towns in Massachusetts, you are likely to find some fans of the opposing squad in attendance.
Access 3
Bridgewater State University is a town of just under 29,000 residents located in southeastern Massachusetts. Boston is located about 25 miles north, and Providence is located about 30 miles west. Bridgewater State University can be found in the north-central part of town, about a mile from the town common.
Driving is the primary method for getting to campus, as Route 24 and Interstate 495 both pass just a few miles away from campus. Visitors utilizing public transportation will find the Bridgewater MBTA Train Station on campus most convenient. Complete transportation information to the BSU campus can be found here.
Tinsley Center is located on the northern edge of the Bridgewater State University campus in the Swenson Athletic Complex. Parking for basketball games can be found adjacent to the football stadium, which will require a short walk to arrive at the Tinsley Center. A small lobby contains the snack bar, restrooms, and the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame. The gym will be on your right as you enter.
All seating consists of wooden bleachers, which run along one side of the gymnasium. There is also limited seating on either end of the court. A walking/jogging track runs along the second floor overlooking the court and also serves as a standing room area. In a small gym like this, all seats feature excellent views of the action.
Return on Investment 5
Admission to a Bears game costs eight dollars. All seats are general admission. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the football stadium. Concessions are inexpensive, with no item costing more than five dollars. A game at Bridgewater State is an inexpensive entertainment option for local basketball fans. As an added value, many nights the men’s and women’s teams will play doubleheaders at a single admission price.
Extras 2
Banners honoring all Bridgewater State championship teams, tournament appearances, and notable achievements across the school’s 22 varsity sports hang around the facility.
The school’s athletic department Hall of Fame is located right outside the gymnasium, displaying the hardware won by the school over the years.
Final Thoughts
While the Tinsley Center is a basic facility, it provides a solid home for the Bridgewater State Bears. Small gyms such as this can be found throughout the country, providing quality competition at an affordable price. Those of you who don’t consider lower levels when watching college sports might want to reconsider. Don’t sleep on Division Three sports!
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