The first time on campus. The concert of a lifetime. The thrill of a Colonel basketball game. The walk across the stage at graduation. These memories form the foundation of the Eastern Experience, and for many alumni, they likely include EKU’s iconic Alumni Coliseum.
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. This summer, AC—as it’s often called—will close again for final renovations and is expected to be completed in Fall 2025.
As massive as the structure itself, known for its distinctive curved roof and enormous wooden beams, is its history and significance to EKU. In 1961, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson joined EKU President Robert R. Martin in breaking ground for the new physical education and athletic facility. When the project officially completed a little over two years later, a gold key was presented to President Martin by the architect, Fred. J. Hartstern.
AC held its first men’s basketball game on Dec. 4, 1963, when the Colonels defeated the University of Louisville 78–65. In 1976, the women’s basketball team began playing in AC. In 1991, it also became the home for EKU Volleyball. Throughout its more than 60-year history, AC has welcomed thousands of Colonel fans and hosted graduation ceremonies, concerts, community events and high school tournaments.
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. Final summer renovations include the seating bowl, adding chair backs on the north and south sides, and modernized bench seating on the west end.
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. I’m also ecstatic for our student athletes, who will take great pride in knowing the university, corporate community and fans all supported them to make these game-changing improvements.”
Looking forward to being one of the first teams to play in the completed facility this fall, Volleyball Coach Johnna Bazzani said, “I am most excited about how engaged the fans will be with seats brought closer to the floor.” Bazzani also noted that the added resources and features of the facility will support continued success for student-athletes.
In addition to the athletics and fan experience, the renovated facility plays a key role in the EKU student experience.
“Alumni Coliseum is the front door of our great university,” said Bryan Makinen, chief campus operations officer. “We welcome our new students and their families through this facility for orientation and celebrate their accomplishments with commencement ceremonies.”
Once completed, EKU looks forward to also hosting local graduation ceremonies, events and activities. Additionally, student events such as concerts, new student convocation, movie nights, conference watch parties, Maroon Platoon events, student conferences and more will come to AC.
“The hosting of our welcome events and commencement activities in the same space builds on a tradition, making AC the entry point for becoming a Colonel and the launching pad for sending those Colonels back into their communities as leaders and agents of innovation,” Wasson said.
EKU will hold spring graduation ceremonies in Alumni Coliseum on May 15 and 16, 2025, before the facility closes for final renovations.
By Elise Russell
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