Home openers usually come and go, but this season is particularly special for the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Sacred Heart.

Not only are the Pioneers the newest members of the MAAC conference, the school cut the ribbon on an upgraded William H. Pitt center Thursday night.

"This levels us up," head women's basketball coach Jess Mannetti says. "You don’t have to keep up with the Joneses when you are one."

This past year, crews transformed the 150,000- square-foot building into a premiere sports arena.

Three video boards were added, and the new court was rotated 90 degrees to make way for arena-style seating.

“There is a big time feel to this operation right now," head men's basketball coach Anthony Latina says. “For the space that we had and our budget, I think we hit a home run on every level."

Judy Ann Riccio, executive director of athletics says it’s a slam dunk for the whole community.

“I was able to watch our women’s rugby team practice in the gym space because we have it now for them to be able to practice," Riccio says. "This will benefit all of our 33 teams, the community, our spirit squads, and our pep band."

Coaches says the renovation will help with recruiting, and school officials are hoping to upgrade the football and lacrosse field next.