Eastern Kentucky University athletics has scored another corporate partnership. EKU and Baptist Health announced an 11-year naming rights partnership for the arena inside Alumni Coliseum. It amounts to $2.5 million dollars over that time period. Baptist Health CEO Gerard Colman said, quote, “We have long partnered with EKU to educate and train students." Matt Roan is the E-K-U Athletics Director. He agrees with Colman.
“In so many ways when you talk about the visions, when you talk about the missions of that organization and certainly our institution there is a natural alignment,” said Roan.
Alumni Coliseum will undergo a $31 million renovation following this basketball season. Roan said the partnership can be seen in two different spots on the basketball court now as well as under the video board.
“You know the name of the facility is Alumni Coliseum. Inside that facility will be Baptist Health Arena. Our teams will play on Paul S. McBrayer Court, which was a very important element for to be able to maintain. To continue to have that name associated with our athletics facilities as well,” said Roan.
The Coliseum is celebrating its 60th anniversary. In 1961, then-Vice President Lyndon Johnson was on hand for the groundbreaking of the facility. The university made another deal in September, the playing surface at Roy Kidd Stadium was renamed CG Bank Field.
