Here we are, on the front step of another promising basketball season! Anticipation and outlook are high. Enthusiasm for all things basketball, especially the University of Kentucky Wildcat kind, is second to none here in Central Kentucky!
Embarking on this new season got me thinking about how, when it comes to Kentucky hoops, “hysteria” and “history” go hand in hand. We know the hysteria part. Heck, we are the hysteria part. But the history part is sometimes less known. For instance, we love and recognize Rupp Arena. This season is Rupp's 49th as the "Home of the Wildcats." But do you know much about or even remember Kentucky's previous home?
It was Memorial Coliseum. In 1950, it became the sparkling new place for play, replacing Alumni Gymnasium down Euclid Avenue. On campus and holding about 12,000 basketball zealots, it was a real basketball palace and fondly dubbed "The house that Rupp built". My childhood, teenage, and early college Wildcat Basketball memories are founded in Memorial Coliseum.
This summer, basketball historian and author Kevin Cook released a book called "Memorial Coliseum: 75 Years as Monument, Stage and Arena." It is an educational, entertaining, and joyful story of this terrific place. The following is an excerpt from the chapter focused on real people's memories, of which I was asked to contribute. It represents a timeline of my memories and feelings for "Rupp's house.”
The first time I saw Memorial Coliseum was on the radio. Yep, it was Ledford's excellent voice in the late 1960s, painting exciting descriptions of the “scene,” leaving indelible pictures of place and color and sound and smell. Not only was it a place of grandeur, simply and singularly, devoted to housing Kentucky basketball, but a place of raucous joy and winning!
The second time I saw Memorial Coliseum was from the top row in 1972, to the “Super Kittens" (Conner, Flynn, Grevey, Guyette, Hale, Lochmueller, and Smith) play Florida. Dad and I went. I was 14 years old. A JV team so popular, their games were separated from the evening varsity contest to let fans without tickets to the main event see the "Kittens" play. The place was full. Kentucky won, 108-64. Coach Rupp walked onto press row sometime after the start of the game to watch. The entire building stood and applauded for five minutes. He left before the game ended, and again everyone stood cheering until he was out of sight. That day, I knew I belonged here.
The third time I saw Memorial Coliseum was as a basketball student manager from 1976 to 1979. It was now Kentucky's "practice place,” as Rupp Arena was open. Truly a surreal experience when I stepped onto the hardwood the first time and bounced a ball! I could almost see my reflection in the glistening floor, with its lines looking as if they were inches deep beneath the varnish. Not only given a chance to stand on the famous “stage,” but now a chance to live “backstage.” A chance to experience the hallways, offices, training room, equipment cage, and locker room where so many greats shared time. The whole place sparkled! One could "eat off the floor." And the quiet wow! Truly a place of basketball reverence!
You can find the book online for purchase here.
Growing up in a brand-new neighborhood fueled Rob Bolton’s passion for real estate. For 40 years, Rob has helped families find their dream homes, from enthusiastic first-time buyers to empty nesters downsizing. Rob is a Realtor with Christie's International Real Estate Bluegrass and manages the Ball Homes sales team. Get in touch with Rob here to discuss Kentucky basketball or your real estate needs!
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