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Each week we pit two arenas and fans against each. Could be arenas of rival teams, arenas with similar characteristics or arenas that are simply historically significant. Then it's put up to vote and you decide which arena has the greatest home-court advantage.
We turn to the bluegrass state for this week's featured matchup and that can only mean one thing -- the University of Kentucky's Rupp Arena vs. the University of Louisville's Freedom Hall. The state loves its basketball and both arenas annually rank top five in attendance.
Freedom Hall, 20 years the elder of Rupp having opened in 1956, has been a great arena for the Cardinals, who have posted a home record of 669-137 through the years. Alas, its days are numbered. Following the 2009-10 season, the Cardinals will move to a new state-of-the-art arena in downtown Louisville featuring a minimum capacity of 22,000 for men's basketball.
While Kentucky's Rupp lacks the amenities of most arenas of its size, it hasn't kept fans from turning out in record numbers. In fact, it's the bleacher seating and absence of luxury boxes that allows Rupp to cram 23,000+ into the arena for every home game. Since opening in 1976, the Wildcats have lost just 60 home games while claiming 426 victories.
If you've visited either of this week's featured arenas, chip in with your experiences in the message board below.
| Freedom Hall -- home of the Louisville Cardinals | ||||||||||||
Since 1971, the Louisville Cardinals have claimed two national championships, reached the Final Four seven times and made 28 NCAA tournament appearances with the Hall, which opened in 1956, serving as the backdrop for so many important victories. It has played host to six Final Fours: 1958, '59, '62, '63, '67 and '69. Several NCAA regionals have taken place there, including 1987, when a young Rick Pitino brought in his Providence Friars and some kid named Billy Donovan and his fiery demeanor on the sidelines. It was a team that shocked the college basketball world with their relentless press and long-range shooting.
With a new arena in the works, Freedom Hall will be the Cards’ home for the last time this coming season, but there's no denying its importance in Louisville basketball history. Hall of Famer Denny Crum coached at Louisville for 30 years, building a solid program that rose to national prominence in the '70s and '80s. The court is named after him. Pitino -- The Godfather of College Basketball -- has carried on the tradition that Denny started. Now, old fans and new fans mix with students to create an atmosphere that is second to none! These are knowledgeable fans that truly appreciate the game and its players. Fans that will bring down the roof with their chants of “DEFENSE!” or show their love with for the “C-A-R-D-S CARDS!” chant that resonates throughout all of Freedom Hall. Opposing teams get rattled as these chants resonate in The Hall with a crowd that is screaming so loud the players can't hear themselves.
The Louisville Cardinals. Nothing fancy. Tradition. Rock-solid basketball, played in front of rock-solid fans. Cardinals basketball. Passionate. Hard-nosed. Relentless. All these things find a home at Freedom Hall. -- Russ4cards |
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| Rupp Arena -- home of the Kentucky Wildcats | ||||||||||||
Since its debut in 1976, Rupp has become one of the most storied basketball venues that sports has ever known. Adolph "The Baron" Rupp, who ranks third with 876 all-time victories, fathered UK basketball into the national power it is today. And his house has hosted three national championship teams, a plethora of conference champions and too many memorable moments to even begin to count. The legacy of the legendary players, coaches and teams that once roamed Rupp Arena still haunt opponents who visit one of college basketball’s most hallowed halls. It has also become one of the most recognizable gymnasiums in the world while serving as home to college basketball’s most storied program and what many consider the Mecca of college basketball. Opened in 1976 at a construction cost of $53 million and located in downtown Lexington, it is the centerpiece of Lexington Center, a convention and shopping facility with the Kentucky Wildcats being the arena's primary tenant.
Even the court in Rupp holds special significance to Wildcats fans. In a ceremony before tipoff on Dec. 29, 2001, the Court at Rupp Arena was named "Cawood’s Court" in honor of Cawood Ledford, the beloved "Voice of the Wildcats" for 39 seasons. Ledford passed away in September 2001 after a long bout with cancer, and the court was renamed to serve as a memorial to the man that had dedicated a life of service to UK’s basketball program. Sporting an oversized UK logo at midcourt and a logo honoring Ledford only feet away from where he broadcast for so many years, the playing surface in Rupp Arena is one of the most aesthetically appealing in college hoops. But it’s the fans -- especially those in the "eRUPPtion zone" -- who put the shakes into visiting teams and make Rupp Arena one of the most intimidating places to play in the country. With a record of 426-60 (.877) it's easy to see why it provides one of the most spectacular big-game atmospheres in the sports world, and houses some of the most raucous crazies to flock to the hardwood.
Words cannot fully describe the spine-chilling effect of 24,000-plus fans cheering their beloved Wildcats to victory. It truly must be experienced to be appreciated. -- ukfan68 |
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| Gary Parrish's take |
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I'll take Rupp Arena, not because it's great or glamorous, but because it's not.
And still, 23,000-plus fans fill it for every game. No luxury boxes? No problem. It's a fascinating situation, honestly. There is nothing unique about Rupp ... except for the fact that Kentucky fans will do anything and everything to get inside of it for a game, or even a practice. For proof, consider that UK's version of Midnight Madness typically sells out, meaning more than 20,000 people drive to downtown Lexington and walk inside a building to watch speeches and a glorified scrimmage. It's insane, but it really happens. Every year. And that's why Billy Gillispie was run out of Kentucky and John Calipari was willing to leave Memphis for it -- because when things are bad, they are the worst, and when things are good, very little compares. Right now, things are good. So very little compares, including Freedom Hall. |
