WUKY SportsPage: Kevin Cook on his new book chronicling the history of UK's historic Memorial Coliseum

Keith Elkins

Kevin Cook is the author of the recently-published book Memorial Coliseum: 75 Years as Monument, Stage and Arena. He combines an extensive collection of photos and text to look back at the history of the building, including the years leading up to its construction. The Coliseum has served as a war memorial, the home of University of Kentucky men’s basketball from 1950 until the move to Rupp Arena in 1976, and the site of many major events, including visits by Presidents Eisenhower, Johnson and Ford. Now known as Historic Memorial Coliseum after a major renovation in 2024, the updated Coliseum is the home of the women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and stunt teams.