Ellis T. Johnson Arena is a 6,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Morehead, Kentucky, United States. Located in the Academic-Athletic Center on the campus of Morehead State University, it is the home to the Morehead State Eagles men's and women's basketball teams. Construction began in 1978, and the building opened in 1981. The Eagles won their inaugural game in the building on Dec. 3, 1981, over the University of Charleston. Johnson Arena can be easily transformed into an auditorium for concerts and commencements. At the east end of the playing floor, a hydraulic stage can be raised for events. Johnson Arena largely replaced

Wetherby Gymnasium The Wetherby Gymnasium is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena at Morehead State University (MSU) in Morehead, Kentucky. It is named for former Governor of Kentucky, Kentucky Governor Lawrence Wetherby and was built in 1956. The facility was slated f ...

which continues to house the Eagles volleyball team. It hosted the Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament in 1984, and has also hosted such entertainment acts as Alabama,

David Letterman David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He hosted late night television talk shows for 33 years, beginning with the February 1, 1982 debut of ''Late Night with David Letterman' ...

M.C. Hammer Stanley Kirk Burrell (born March 30, 1962), better known by his stage name MC Hammer (or simply Hammer), is an American rapper, dancer, record producer and entrepreneur. He is known for hit songs such as "U Can't Touch This", "2 Legit 2 Quit" ...

, the Goo Goo Dolls, Alan Jackson, Dashboard Confessional,

Jeff Foxworthy Jeffrey Marshall Foxworthy (born September 6, 1958) is an American actor, author, comedian, producer and writer. He is a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, with Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and Ron White. Known for his "You might be a ...

, Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt and Sawyer Brown. The arena is named after former Morehead State basketball, baseball, and football coach,

Ellis T. Johnson Ellis T. Johnson (August 8, 1910 – August 5, 1990) was an American football, basketball, baseball, and track and field player and coach. He was a four-sport letter-winner at the University of Kentucky, playing basketball, football, baseball, an ...

References

College basketball venues in the United States Indoor arenas in Kentucky Morehead State Eagles men's basketball Basketball venues in Kentucky Buildings and structures in Rowan County, Kentucky 1981 establishments in Kentucky Sports venues completed in 1981 {{Kentucky-stadium-stub

See also

References