Kentucky fans will have to go to Rupp Arena next season to watch volleyball, gymnastics and women's basketball. (Vicky Graff Photo)
During the state high school basketball tournaments at Rupp Arena in March, several people working the two events told me that Kentucky women’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics would all have their home events at Rupp Arena during the 2023-24 school year.
A long overdue $82 million renovation of Memorial Coliseum, a facility completed in 1950 on the UK campus as a memorial to servicemen and women who lost their lives in World War II and also honors those who perished in the Korean and Vietnam Wars along with other military service. The renovation project will include an upgraded memorial to those who have lost their lives serving our country.
The biggest aspect of the renovation to me is that Memorial Coliseum will finally be air conditioned. If you have ever been to a volleyball match or practice in August or September, you know why that is needed. Seating will also be updated along with other facility systems also being upgraded.
Kentucky athletics finally officially announced Tuesday that Rupp Arena would be the “primary home venue” for gymnastics, volleyball and women’s basketball for the 2023-24 seasons.
Kentucky indicated all volleyball and gymnastics matches would be in Rupp Arena while the majority of the women’s basketball games would also be there with others at Transylvania if there is a scheduling conflict at Rupp Arena.
Volleyball, women’s basketball and gymnastics should all be announcing their upcoming schedules soon.
While moving events to Rupp Arena is a logical transition, it could also present some issues for Kentucky fans.
First, almost all the parking around Memorial Coliseum for volleyball, gymnastics and women’s basketball is free. It won’t be that way at Rupp Arena and that could deter some fans from attending.
Second, for many fans not only will it cost to park, but it will take more time to get to Rupp Arena, especially for Monday through Friday events that might start in the 6-7:30 p.m. range. There is no easy way to get downtown during Lexington rush hour traffic.
Third, Kentucky often has raucous fan support at Memorial Coliseum. It won’t be the same at Rupp Arena even with the upper arena blocked out. It just will not have the same warm, cozy feeling.
However, for the Kentucky teams involved in the transition season, it will be worth the sacrifice I am sure because of the modern Memorial Coliseum they will be back in for the 2024-25 seasons.
