PHOTO - UK Athletics
Could Rupp Arena be one of the facilities across the country looking at a name change as a part of the wave underway to improve race relations across the country. On Thursday, the Faculty of the African-American and Africana Studies program at the University of Kentucky submitted a letter to University of Kentucky President Dr. Eli Capilouto that while acknowledging steps already taken by the University to improve diversity, proposed a series of actions “that focus on deeper, structural change.”
The organization noted that “these actions will alter the institutional realities concerning racism on our campus and move us toward racial equity—not just diversity and inclusion—in our community. “
Among the items proposed in the letter was the renaming of the home of the University of Kentucky basketball teams, Rupp Arena.
In their letter to the President, the AAAS noted “the Adolph Rupp name has come to stand for racism and exclusion in UK athletics and alienates Black students, fans, and attendees. The rebuilding of the arena and the convention center offer an opportunity to change the name to a far more inclusive one, such as Wildcat Arena.”
Back in January, when naming rights to the Lexington Center were being discussed and negotiated with Central Bank, UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart stated “The name is tied to Coach Rupp and the Rupp family is so important for us, to protect that name and to make sure it is always remembered as the iconic place, family, name, leader of college basketball.” The name of the arena was then officially changed to Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
