Memorial Coliseum, in front of you, is colloquially known as The House That Rupp Built and Historic Memorial Coliseum. This 6,250-seat multi-purpose arena opened in 1950 and was built as a memorial to Kentuckians who died in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War; later the names of all Kentuckians who died in the Vietnam War were added. Once the largest arena in the South with an official capacity of 12,000, the Coliseum frequently drew crowds of over 13,000 for many University of Kentucky basketball games.
Before Rupp Arena opened in 1976 it was home to the men's basketball team; today it houses four women's teams at the University of Kentucky — basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and stunt — and until 1989 it also housed the university's swimming and diving team prior to the completion of the Lancaster Aquatics Center. A major renovation completed in 1990 reduced seating to 8,500 and added an elaborate weight training facility, new offices for the basketball and athletics programs, a players' lounge, and a team meeting room. The seating is now mostly located on the sidelines.
Notice the memorial names honoring Kentuckians lost in four wars, etched into a coliseum once the largest arena in the South.