In commemoration of Rupp Arena reaching its 50th year, Keith Taylor anticipates the creation of additional cherished moments for the future
As Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center celebrates its 50th season, the historic venue continues to be a cherished symbol of the bond between the Kentucky Wildcats, the fans, and the city of Lexington.
Originally seating over 23,000 fans, Rupp Arena has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in college basketball history. The attendance record was set in 2010 when 24,480 fans watched Kentucky defeat Louisville, surpassing the previous record of 24,474 fans who saw Kentucky defeat North Carolina in 2009.
Keith Taylor, sports editor for Kentucky Today, has been covering the Wildcats at Rupp Arena for the past three decades. For Taylor, covering the Wildcats at Rupp Arena is a dream come true and a blessing he will never take for granted.
The author, who didn't have season tickets but loved watching the Cats play at Rupp Arena, didn't attend a game until they were a teenager in 1984. In the 1900s, the author had only four channels and ESPN barely existed. During storms, the author could sometimes get a couple of channels from Cincinnati. The author's only connection to the Wildcats was through television and the radio, specifically the voice of Cawood Ledford.
The "Big Bertha" video board in Rupp Arena has been replaced by an upgraded video board at the center of the court. The chairback seats in Rupp Arena are now all blue, as opposed to the multi-colored variation that resembled a rainbow in the lower bowl. The capacity of the arena decreased from more than 23,000 to 20,545 following the renovation project in 2019.
UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart stated that the 50th season of Rupp Arena is a celebration of the bond between the team, the venue, and the fanbase. Kentucky men's basketball coach Mark Pope, who played and coached for the Wildcats at Rupp Arena, admires the historic facility. Pope finds it humbling to be part of the 50th season in Rupp Arena, where many legends have played and memories have been made.
Taylor looks forward to making more memories and writing about more milestones in the future. As Rupp Arena continues to be a beacon of college basketball, fans, players, and coaches alike will continue to create unforgettable moments in the historic facility.
This column originally appeared in Kentucky Today. Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center is celebrating its 50th season with season-long programming and activities.
