Alumni Coliseum
Encyclopedia
Alumni Coliseum is a multi-use sports arena located on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University
in Richmond, Kentucky
, USA. Built in 1963, the Paul S. McBrayer Arena located inside Alumni Coliseum, is capable of seating around 6,500 people in both chairback seats and on wooden benches (8,000 for concerts).The arena's ceiling is made completely of wooden beams and is believed to be the largest of its kind in existence. It was named for the former EKU Men's Basketball Coach Paul McBrayer who compiled a record of 219-144. The floor graphics were updated for the 2005-06 seasons and the banners were redone to be more unified.
The arena is home to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels
men's and women's basketball team, and the women's volleyball team. Alumni Coliseum is also home to the annual All "A" Classic High School Basketball tournament, which draws schools from all over the state to the university's campus, as well as the KHSAA Region 5 Swimming and Diving Championships.
The arena has also hosted musical performers, most recently including 3 Doors Down
, O.A.R. (Of A Revolution
), Diamond Rio
, Nappy Roots
and The Black Eyed Peas
. It also hosted the Ohio Valley Conference
men's basketball tournament in 1979.
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. The natatorium houses a 6 lane 25 yard swimming pool as well as one and three meter diving boards.
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 twenty additional offices.
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
in Richmond, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, USA. Built in 1963, the Paul S. McBrayer Arena located inside Alumni Coliseum, is capable of seating around 6,500 people in both chairback seats and on wooden benches (8,000 for concerts).The arena's ceiling is made completely of wooden beams and is believed to be the largest of its kind in existence. It was named for the former EKU Men's Basketball Coach Paul McBrayer who compiled a record of 219-144. The floor graphics were updated for the 2005-06 seasons and the banners were redone to be more unified.
The arena is home to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
EKU fields teams in 15 varsity sports . The school is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I of the NCAA , having been a part of the conference since its inception in 1948...
men's and women's basketball team, and the women's volleyball team. Alumni Coliseum is also home to the annual All "A" Classic High School Basketball tournament, which draws schools from all over the state to the university's campus, as well as the KHSAA Region 5 Swimming and Diving Championships.
The arena has also hosted musical performers, most recently including 3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down
3 Doors Down is an American rock band from Escatawpa formed in 1996. The band consists of Brad Arnold , Matt Roberts , Todd Harrell , Chris Henderson , and Greg Upchurch ....
, O.A.R. (Of A Revolution
Of a Revolution
O.A.R. is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge , Chris Culos , Richard On , Benj Gershman , and Jerry DePizzo...
), Diamond Rio
Diamond Rio
Diamond Rio is an American Country music/Christian music band formed in 1984 in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its foundation, the group has comprised the same six members: Gene Johnson , Jimmy Olander , Brian Prout , Marty Roe , Dan Truman , and Dana Williams...
, Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots
Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quintet that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw."...
and The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
. It also hosted the Ohio Valley Conference
Ohio Valley Conference
The Ohio Valley Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the midwestern and southeastern United States. It participates in Division I of the NCAA; the conference's football programs compete in the Football Championship Subdivision , the lower of two levels of Division I...
men's basketball tournament in 1979.
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
Model Laboratory School
Model Laboratory School is a semi-private laboratory school located on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond, Kentucky, United States....
Swim team. The natatorium houses a 6 lane 25 yard swimming pool as well as one and three meter diving boards.
The Alumni Coliseum also houses four other basketball courts in an auxiliary gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool, eight classrooms, the Chad Bratzke
Chad Bratzke
Chad Alan Bratzke is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League.-College career:...
Student Academic Athletic Success Center, and twenty additional offices.