Adjustments to the arena were made in part to make fans more comfortable in Rupp's upper deckGETTY IMAGES
Some Univ. of Kentucky fans are "not happy" about the Rupp Arena renovation that will see the school "lose its ranking as one of the largest college basketball facilities in the nation," according to Darrell Bird of 247SPORTS.com. Seating capacity at the venue will "eventually be reduced from 24,500 to 20,500." UK AD Mitch Barnhart said, "There were some folks not happy about that. But I'm not sure those were the same folks who are crammed into those seats upstairs either." He added, "The biggest concern I had was the lack of chair back seating in the upper deck. I thought that was an important thing to address. We've addressed those and seem to be getting no credit. But those adjustments were made for fans to be more comfortable in the upper deck, to have a better view, have replays." But Barnhart said while the renovations "reduce our capacity a bit," it is a "better viewing experience" for fans. Bird noted the "remaining seat reduction will come from the club seating level." Barnhart: "We created some clubs in the under pinning of the arena and some other areas to try and create another thing that fans are asking for, an opportunity to have some meals, some amenities. ... That's the package people are looking for in today's world and it's our responsibility as we continue to try to stay relevant in this world of discretionary time and discretionary dollars in the sports world, it's real important we do those things" (247SPORTS.com, 6/8).
