Below is a list of sites that have hosted the boys state tournament.

 

1918 @ Centre College

1919-23 @ University of Kentucky Gymnasium

1924-41 @ Alumni Gymnasium, Lexington

1942 @ Louisville Armory

1943-44 @ Alumni Gymnasium, Lexington

1945-50 @ Louisville Armory

1951-56 @ Memorial Coliseum

1957 @ Freedom Hall

1958-59 @ Memorial Coliseum

1960 @ Freedom Hall

1961 @ Memorial Coliseum

1962-63 @ Freedom Hall

1964 @ Memorial Coliseum

1965-78 @ Freedom Hall

1979-87 @ Rupp Arena

1988 @ Freedom Hall

1989 @ Rupp Arena

1990 @ Freedom Hall

1991 @ Rupp Arena

1992 @ Freedom Hall

1993 @ Rupp Arena

1994 @ Freedom Hall

1995-08 @ Rupp Arena

 

Overall Times Hosting

26 - Rupp Arena

22 - Freedom Hall

20 - Alumni Gymnasium

10 - Memorial Coliseum

7 - Louisville Armory

5 - University of Kentucky Gymnasium

1 - Centre College

Does anyone know why they quit alternating between Freedom Hall and Rupp Arena?

Does anyone know why they quit alternating between Freedom Hall and Rupp Arena?

 

Because Freedom Hall is a dump...

Does anyone know why they quit alternating between Freedom Hall and Rupp Arena?

 

I was told it was for 2 reasons.

 

1. Rupp is more central in KY

2. Rupp is bigger

My first State Tourney game was the Anderson-Male final in 1971 in Freedom Hall where I rooted for my hero Jimmy Dan Conner to win. They didn't and 38 years later I will have to root against Anderson. I'm sure many on here have attended the games at Memorial and the Louisville Armory. Personally I like Rupp alot better than Freedom Hall.

Does anyone know why they quit alternating between Freedom Hall and Rupp Arena?

 

Because Freedom Hall is a dump...

 

Crowds were AWFUL in Louisville.

Kind of hard to believe that it's only been since 2005 that Rupp has hosted it more times than any other venue.

 

Of a personal note, I think it's neat that Warren Central has been to the tourney 10 times, but never played anywhere other than Rupp Arena. They went three times between 1982 & 1987, then in 1993, then the 6 times from 2002-2007.

I honestly can't see it making any sense to have it anywhere but Rupp from here on out, until the end of time. :notworthy: It's just flat out awesome there and to have it anywhere else would just pale by comparison.

Because Freedom Hall is a dump...

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

What about when Pitino gets his new facility, will it move back to Louisville then?????

Crowds in FReedom Hall are always much smaller (Check out the program at the sweet 16). Rupp is an awesome venue.

What about when Pitino gets his new facility, will it move back to Louisville then?????

 

Crowds in FReedom Hall are always much smaller (Check out the program at the sweet 16). Rupp is an awesome venue.

 

I just don't think Louisville draws well for this. The new arena might be a draw, but I think it's signed on for Rupp until 2013 or 2015.

Growing up, and into my younger adult years, Freedom Hall WAS the State Tournament. It felt wierd going to Rupp for the first time.

 

I think we all enjoyed both venues during the rotation years. Staying in Indiana made the trip to Freedom Hall a breeze, the parking was easy, and the room rates were always much cheaper than in Lexington.

 

Lexington and Rupp has become the State Tournament and I don't advocate moving it back to the Derby City, but the traffic can be brutal, and parking can be a hassle. Room rates tend to still be high. Has anyone other than me noticed that all of the chain hotels in Lexington have seemingly price-fixed their rates at $119 this year???

 

Since I spend as much time at Keeneland as I do at Rupp, I enjoy Lexington and can tolerate the traffic/room rates for 3/4 days.

I was in high school during the NBA to Louisville talk... if that were to ever happen, I couldn't imagine a bigger thrill for a high schooler than playing in the same arena as LeBron, Kobe, Wade, etc.