Nov. 9, 2002
Hoops Tickets On Sale
The general public may purchase tickets to the Wildcats’ first two exhibition games – Nov. 11 vs. Athletes in Action and Nov. 18 vs. Team Nike – and to two regular-season home games – Dec. 3 vs. High Point and Dec. 30 vs. Tennessee State. The tickets were made available following student-ticket distribution last week.
The upper arena seats are $17 apiece and can be purchased at the Memorial Coliseum ticket office – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday – online at ukathletics.com, by phone at 859-257-1818 or 800-928-CATS or at participating Ticketmaster locations statewide.
e’Rupp’tion Zone!
Following a two-week contest among University of Kentucky students, the “e’Rupp’tion Zone” was chosen as the name of the new standing-room only section for UK students at men’s basketball games.
The area, located at floor level in one end zone of Rupp Arena, will make its debut at the Cats’ exhibition opener on Monday against Athletes in Action. More than 400 season ticket holders were moved from the first 11 rows in the end zone to make room for the new setup. The band and nearly 700 students will now occupy the area. The move brings students down to floor level for the first time in Rupp Arena history.
Andy Acker, a UK junior from Lincolnton, N.C., submitted the winning entry and athletics department officials chose his suggestion based on originality, uniqueness and creativity. Nearly 200 names were submitted, according to Alvis Johnson, the UK assistant athletics director who organized the contest. Acker is scheduled to be in attendance Monday when the Wildcats face Athletes in Action in UK’s first exhibition game.
Rupp Arena Announces Changes
With the Wildcats’ exhibition opener against Athletes in Action on Monday, Nov. 11, Rupp Arena begins its 27th season as the home of the Kentucky men’s basketball team.
The arena will debut a few new upgrades, including a new purple concourse and a standing room arrangement for students in one end zone. The renovations are part of a $5.1 million upgrade to the facility since the Wildcats completed the 2002 season.
Fans will discover a new two-level concourse upon entering the arena, complete with additional restrooms and concession stands. The new “e’Rupp’tion Zone,” located nearest UK’s team bench, moved approximately 400 fans to other seats in lower arena to make room for the standing-room only risers which will accommodate the pep band and approximately 700 students. In addition, following the introduction of courtside seating last year, a new media press box will open prior to the second exhibition game on Nov. 18. The press box, which seats more than 50, has been constructed on the team bench side.
Arena Continues Strict Security Measures
Officials at Lexington Center Corporation, which operates Rupp Arena, announced plans to continue strict security measures adopted last season in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy.Items that cannot be brought into the arena include weapons, backpacks, bags, flag poles, containers made of glass, aluminum, plastic and/or paper, food, ice chests, video cameras, alcoholic beverages, artificial noisemakers, or any object considered dangerous to patrons in Rupp Arena.
Fans are permitted to bring in cell phones, pagers, still cameras, small purses, binoculars, small radios, diaper bags and seat cushions. All items brought into the arena are subject to search.
Once again, the UK Basketball Museum, located in the adjacent Civic Center, will check coats and bags for $2.
