This is the first installment of a new feature that will focus on the basketball arenas around Kentucky. I will give each arena an overall score and also some ratings on various areas.
Ellis T. Johnson Arena on the campus of Morehead State University
Location: Morehead, Kentucky
Capacity: 6,500 for basketball
Ellis T. Johnson Arena on the campus of Morehead State University
Location: Morehead, Kentucky
Capacity: 6,500 for basketball
Built: 1981
Introduction from MSUEagles.com:
Ellis T. Johnson Arena in the Academic-Athletic Center has served as the homecourt for Morehead State men’s basketball since 1981. The AAC is one of the best facilities in the nation for men’s basketball, and Johnson Arena is named for former Morehead State athletic director and coach Ellis T. Johnson.
Johnson was also a highly successful football coach at both University of Kentucky and Marshall University. The Eagles enjoy a tremendous home court advantage in Johnson Arena. During the summer of 2006, the arena floor was completely resurfaced with Morehead State’s new primary logo and word marks. The Eagles’ locker room, located just steps from the court, was also completely refurbished with new walls, lockers and furniture.
The locker facility is also conveniently connected to the AAC training room. The building is a multi-purpose facility and also houses offices for a majority of the athletic department staff, including a second-floor office suite for men’s basketball. The facility also houses a cheerleading room, the Len Miller VIP Room, a full-service weight room, a satellite training room, sauna and steam rooms, and ample concession and storage areas. The AAC also incorporates the Russell McClure Pool, which served as home to the MSU swim team until 1995. The University broke ground on the AAC in 1978 and completed the project in 1981.
The Eagles won their inaugural game in the building on Dec. 3, 1981, over the University of Charleston. Johnson Arena itself has a seating capacity of 6,500 for basketball and can be easily transformed into an auditorium for concerts and commencements. At the East end of the playing floor, a hydraulic stage can be raised for events.
Since opening, the arena has hosted such national acts as Alabama, David Letterman, M.C. Hammer, the Goo Goo Dolls, Alan Jackson, Dashboard Confessional, Jeff Foxworthy, Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt and Sawyer Brown.
Introduction from MSUEagles.com:
Ellis T. Johnson Arena in the Academic-Athletic Center has served as the homecourt for Morehead State men’s basketball since 1981. The AAC is one of the best facilities in the nation for men’s basketball, and Johnson Arena is named for former Morehead State athletic director and coach Ellis T. Johnson.
Johnson was also a highly successful football coach at both University of Kentucky and Marshall University. The Eagles enjoy a tremendous home court advantage in Johnson Arena. During the summer of 2006, the arena floor was completely resurfaced with Morehead State’s new primary logo and word marks. The Eagles’ locker room, located just steps from the court, was also completely refurbished with new walls, lockers and furniture.
The locker facility is also conveniently connected to the AAC training room. The building is a multi-purpose facility and also houses offices for a majority of the athletic department staff, including a second-floor office suite for men’s basketball. The facility also houses a cheerleading room, the Len Miller VIP Room, a full-service weight room, a satellite training room, sauna and steam rooms, and ample concession and storage areas. The AAC also incorporates the Russell McClure Pool, which served as home to the MSU swim team until 1995. The University broke ground on the AAC in 1978 and completed the project in 1981.
The Eagles won their inaugural game in the building on Dec. 3, 1981, over the University of Charleston. Johnson Arena itself has a seating capacity of 6,500 for basketball and can be easily transformed into an auditorium for concerts and commencements. At the East end of the playing floor, a hydraulic stage can be raised for events.
Since opening, the arena has hosted such national acts as Alabama, David Letterman, M.C. Hammer, the Goo Goo Dolls, Alan Jackson, Dashboard Confessional, Jeff Foxworthy, Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt and Sawyer Brown.
AllKYHoops.com Ratings:
Atmosphere: 10 (Perfect college basketball atmosphere; great arena to enjoy a game)
Attendance: 5 (The only area of concern; regularly fill about half to three-fourths of lower arena)
Lighting: 10 (Arena is bright and lighting is perfect)
Parking: 10 (No problems with parking at all)
Appearance: 10 (Just a quality basketball arena)
Seating: 9 (Could be a little more comfortable, but not bad at all)
Scoreboard: 9 (Nice, well-lit, 4-sided scoreboard hangs over center court; no video)
Sound Quality: 10 (Music sounds great; PA announcer is easily heard and understood)
Concessions: 10 (Anything you should expect at a basketball game at reasonable prices)
Restrooms: 10 (Facilities are clean and more-than-enough to accommodate the halftime rush)
Total Score: 93/100
Comments: One of the nicer basketball facilities in the state of Kentucky; just a terrific arena for college basketball. If the students at Morehead State would only recognize that they have a legitimate NCAA DI basketball program on their campus, Ellis T. Johnson Arena would really be something special. The only real knock I can put on the arena is in the area of attendance. It has improved marginally this season, but there is still a ways to go in that regard. Everything else earns an A+ from AllKYHoops.com.
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