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Leaving Cole Field House, 1955-2002

Fans say they'll never forget the fanfare and excitement at Cole games.


 

A nearly empty Cole Field House, 2002

"Everyone was in awe of it."--Jack Zane


When Cole opened in 1955, with seating for about 12,000, it was meant to impress. And it did, says Jack Zane, director of the Walk of Fame, an exhibit commemorating university athletes. Zane was a student when the $3.3 million field house had its grand debut, replacing Ritchie Coliseum.

"Everyone was in awe of it," Zane says. "It was considered one of the finest arenas in the country."

In 1966, when the Final Four games came to Maryland, a national problem was spotlighted. The field house hosted the game that pitted an all-black starting five from Texas Western against Kentucky's all-white team. Texas Western upset Kentucky, 72-65, forcing Southern colleges to look seriously at desegregating their teams.
Though it's become outdated with no air conditioning or posh luxury suites, Zane says Cole is still "one of the finest places to watch basketball." Jerseys from star players hang from Cole's rafters.

 


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Photos and text by Maha Ezzeddine
Published
Friday, March
8, 2002

Copyright © 2002 University of Maryland College of Journalism

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