Alumni Coliseum: A Legacy of Athletics, Entertainment, and Transformation at Eastern Kentucky University
Alumni Coliseum, now known as the Paul S. McBrayer Court at Baptist Health Arena, stands as a central landmark on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Since its construction in the early 1960s, it has served as a hub for athletic competitions, entertainment events, and university milestones. From its distinctive wooden beam ceiling to its recent renovations, the Coliseum's history reflects EKU's growth and commitment to its students and the surrounding community.
Construction and Early History
The groundbreaking for Alumni Coliseum occurred on June 1, 1961, marking the beginning of a significant construction project for Eastern Kentucky University. The project took 626,276 board feet of lumber. While being built the Coliseum collapsed due to a cable malfunction. The arena was not finished until 1963 and the project took 626,276 board feet of lumber. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson joined EKU President Robert R. Martin in breaking ground for the new physical education and athletic facility. The arena was officially completed a little over two years later. The architect, Fred J., presented a gold key to President Martin. The Coliseum first opened its doors for the 1963-64 season, becoming the home of the men's basketball team.
The arena was originally named after Paul S. McBrayer. He was the head basketball coach from 1946 to 1962 and he had a record of 219-144. It was named for the former EKU Men's Basketball Coach Paul McBrayer who compiled a record of 219-144.
Alumni Coliseum and McBrayer Arena were constructed from June 1961 to September 1963 and the Colonels (basketball, volleyball teams) have called it home ever since.
Architectural Features and Seating Capacity
The arena is capable of seating around 6,500 people in both chairback seats and on wooden benches (8,000 for concerts) arranged in a horseshoe shape, facing a wall at the right side of the arena where staging is usually set up for events. The arena's ceiling is made completely of wooden beams and is believed to be the largest of its kind in existence. The coliseum features a wooden laminated cross-arched roof spanning 309 feet and providing an unobstructed view of events held in the main auditorium. A total of 616,276 board feet of lumber form the 170 beams and roof, which arches gracefully 81 feet above the floor level.
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A Home for EKU Athletics
Alumni Coliseum has been the home arena for Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball since the 1963-64 season. The Coliseum first was home to the men's basketball team for the 1963-64 season. AC held its first men’s basketball game on Dec. 4, 1963, when the Colonels defeated the University of Louisville 78-65. The women's team was later founded in 1971, with the volleyball team beginning play inside the arena in 1991. The women's basketball team began playing here in 1976. In 1976, the women’s basketball team began playing in AC. In 1991, it also became the home for EKU Volleyball. The volleyball team has played in the coliseum since 1991. Alumni Coliseum houses the men's and women's basketball teams as well as the volleyball team. In the 2023-2024 season the men's basketball team finished 17-14, 12-4 in conference play, with the women's team finishing 22-12, and 9-7 in conference play.
More Than Just Athletics
The arena has also hosted numerous musical performers over the years, more recently including 3 Doors Down, O.A.R. (Of A Revolution), Diamond Rio, They Might be Giants, Nappy Roots and The Black Eyed Peas. Alumni Coliseum has hosted numerous musical performers over the years, more recently including 3 Doors Down, O.A.R. The concert of a lifetime. The thrill of a Colonel basketball game. The walk across the stage at graduation. Representing the continual beginning and end of the campus experience, Baptist Health Arena at Alumni Coliseum closed last spring for massive renovations and temporarily opened in January for the spring basketball season and graduation ceremonies in May. Once completed, EKU looks forward to also hosting local graduation ceremonies, events and activities.
Facilities within the Coliseum
The Alumni Coliseum also houses four other basketball courts in an auxiliary gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool, eight classrooms, the Chad Bratzke Student Academic Athletic Success Center, and 20 additional offices. Trophy cases surrounding the concourse that hold trophies and memorabilia from former teams and players. The Donald Combs Natatorium, located behind the basketball arena, is the former home of the university's swimming and diving team and is now used predominantly for EKU recreation and the Model Laboratory School Swim team.
Recent Renovations and Future Plans
Renovation of Alumni Coliseum was announced on April 26, 2022. The Kentucky General Assembly approved $31 million for the renovation. Alumni Coliseum renovation announced. The plans for the renovation project are upgrades to the facility's infrastructure, seating areas, lighting and amenities. Starting in March of 2023, Alumni Coliseum will not be going through a renovation but, as Roan calls it, a transformation. “I think for what you’re going to see, the finished product will be a transformation. For us from the seating bowl itself to removing the wall on the east end of the Coliseum, and for us it is a transformation,” says Roan.“We’re involved in the actual schematic design now and look forward to March (of 2023) when we can break ground on this next 60 years of this facility. It’s gonna be a game-changer for us.” Renovations completed for the Colonel basketball season included the court, concourse and locker room renovations, as well as a conference center, team rooms, a courtside club and a team store. Vice President and Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said, “Fans will get to experience a whole different atmosphere within an iconic facility that they appreciate and have grown to love. “Alumni Coliseum is the front door of our great university,” said Bryan Makinen, chief campus operations officer. The renovated Alumni Coliseum will serve as a multipurpose venue for concerts and other events in addition to athletic competitions. As massive as the structure itself, known for its distinctive curved roof and enormous wooden beams, is its history and significance to EKU.
Partnership with Baptist Health
The new partnership on Nov 2, 2022 between Eastern Kentucky University and Baptist Health is set for the next 11 years. The focus of the partnership is on healthcare education, workforce development, and community engagement. Alumni Coliseum (Paul S. McBrayer Court at Baptist Health Arena).
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Food and Accommodation
Concessions offer chicken sandwiches, tacos, burgers, hot dogs, brats, and pizza. Multiple hotels located near the Coliseum provide sleeping accommodations for travelers.
EKU's Conference Affiliations
Eastern Kentucky University officially joined the Atlantic Sun conference on July 1, 2021.
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tags: #alumni #coliseum #eku #history
