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LEXINGTON, Ky. - The University of Kentucky Basketball Museum has shut its doors due to falling attendance and financial problems.
The museum, located in the Lexington Center near the entrance to Rupp Arena, has struggled to find an audience since opening in 1999.
University of Kentucky deputy athletic director Rob Mullens said Wednesday that the museum, which was not affiliated with the university, was averaging less than 25,000 visitors a year. Consultants told museum officials before it opened that 110,000 fans a year could push through the turnstiles.
Mullens said the university has decided to reallocated its annual $100,000 donation to the museum to help offset $1.2 million in debt. Mullens said the university will try to open a new fan-friendly experience at the Craft Center, the school's new basketball practice facility.
Museum executive Van Florence did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by Lofton4Three on July 2, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe they can hire some of the new recruits to fill the empty void by selling lemonade and cookies for the scout trips?
Posted by Volchaz on July 2, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe they could start retiring Middle School Jersey's and hang them in the Museum of future recruits....
Posted by marc_ash on July 2, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is sad. Kentucky should never be put in a position to lose it's basketball museum. This is just bad business.
The solution, the university should sweep it up. Make it special and a part of school. I know there is more than just UK basketball...but make it happen.
Posted by houvol on July 2, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares!
Posted by HotlantaVol on July 2, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those could easily be headlines of two separate articles:
"Struggling UK Basketball"
and
"Museum Closes"
Chances are, however, I wouldn't read either article. Next.
Posted by knoxnewsuser on July 2, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
slow news day
Posted by threehundredbowler on July 2, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why did you read this article hotlantavol?
Posted by volboy81 on July 2, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess the blue isnt as big as they thought!
Posted by King53 on July 2, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the apathy in Kentucky grows daily. Mark it down...Coach BillY Clyde will not even be there when these 8th grade recruits step on campus.
Posted by murrayvol on July 2, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Static museums (especially one with such a narrow focus) are a tough nut to crack regarding marketing. Once you've been there it's kinda like Jeremiah Johnson and a town. Why go back?
Posted by CatScratchFever on July 2, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
murrayvol, You are exactly right. If you have seen it once, then that is usually enough. Being located next to Rupp downtown, the only time it would get a significant number of visitors would be during basketball season.
I always wonder why people by season tickets to the Ripley's Aquarium or the Knoxville Zoo too.
Posted by rusty_shackleford on July 2, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This one is too easy. hahahahha
Posted by hsdoss on July 2, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well i guess everyone is happy now that tubby smith was run off. ha ha
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 2, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what a bunch of losers....I guess looking up to Tennessee in basketball for the last 3 years and for the forseeable future has reduced Kentucky fans to mildcats. Oh well, just like football.
Posted by mempuss on July 2, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
who needs a museum when your program is HISTORY??
Posted by AuburnFan on July 2, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kentucky has a basketball team?
Posted by FryeGuy on July 2, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Eddie Sutton wing of the Museum is proudly sponsored by "Emery Worldwide"
Always remember Emery when you need to move large sums of loose cash.
Posted by General_Watermelon on July 2, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Meanwhile, reports out of Knoxville site Pearl's plan to build a Vol Basketball Museum in Knoxville!
Posted by Michael1204 on July 2, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
they should build a playground in its place so they can have some area that the recruits can have play time in.
Posted by soddydaisy777 on July 2, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
workinglikeheck,your a loser to!
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 2, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"your a loser"...priceless. Just think, you could have substituted and the museum for program and it would by pretty much the same.
Posted by BillVol on July 2, 2008 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This news is very sad. The UK basketball museum was very well done. We enjoyed our visit there.
Posted by LittleJohnny on July 2, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The House that Pearl shutdown"
Posted by LittleJohnny on July 3, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't worry UK fans, the UK Football Museum will re-open as soon as that kid brings his lunchbox back to campus.
Posted by DenmarkVol on July 3, 2008 at 3:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is surprising. I've been to that museum and it was fantastic. Extremely well-organized and interesting every step of the way. Bummer.
Posted by GreerVol22 on July 3, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
economy and priorities...both of which are fubar.
Posted by b_neas on July 3, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe next they can close that POS university in KY starting with the basketball program. Just like the museum no one wants to go there either, except for grade schoolers.
Posted by RichRollin on July 3, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure the Ky fans have already made an excuse to why this happened. I'm sure Tubby smith will get the blame somehow.
Posted by mattlock on July 3, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dang, I was looking forward to getting up there to check out Adolff Rupp's collection of white hoods.
Posted by brokebackvol on July 3, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Awww c'mon folks - Give the Catfans a break - it's been forever since they beat the Vols in football - you know they must deep down they say to themselves "Tennessee always finds a way."
I agree King - I think Billyboy is going to be gone soon. Catfans are too used to their program being a contender, and he's just not up for it.
Posted by bhjohnso on July 4, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Billy G is up for making them a contender, I think. Just not in the way they want. They run Tubby out because he plays boring basketball, then they bring in the 1 guy in the universe who plays a more boring style. I hope he stays there for a while, because the games between UT and UK will be the more interesting because of the contrast in styles. This year might be a tough one for them though.
Posted by THE_VOL on July 5, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another amazingly moronic comment from Marcy_Girl I see! LMAO!!! Give Billy G another couple years and they might just close ole Racist Rupp Arena too!
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