During its 66 years, Reynolds Coliseum has been home to many NC State sporting events. However, the building has much more to its history. Reynolds has hosted presidential rallies, circus events and music performances.
It was named after William Neal Reynolds, a businessman with R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which was started by his brother R. J. Reynolds. Reynolds Coliseum opened in 1949. Construction had been delayed several years due to the ground breaking during World War II in 1942.
The first game NC State played and won at the coliseum was when the men’s basketball team beat Washington and Lee University in 1949. At the time, some seats were not installed yet so several spectators had to sit on the ground or on the steps.
“At one point of Reynolds’ history, they had a hockey rink built,” said Tim Peeler, writer and editor for University Communications at NC State. “Unfortunately, due to the humidity, it caused parts of the ceiling to fall so they had to take it out.”
Sen. John F. Kennedy stopped by Reynolds Coliseum on Sept. 17, 1960, just several months before he was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States. Four years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson came as part of his campaign. President Ronald Reagan came in 1985 to promote a tax reform. President Barack Obama stopped by twice: when he was a senator as part of his campaign, and again when he was president, speaking about his American Jobs Act.
Bill Krueger wrote for the NC State alumni blog that Reynolds Coliseum has also seen its share of musical acts ranging from classical to rock ‘n’ roll. Famous jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong performed at Reynolds in1957. The first time the Rolling Stones came to Raleigh was in 1965 at Reynolds Coliseum, and in 1980, Elton John made a performance as well. Other notable musical acts include pianist Van Cliburn, violinist Itzhak Perlman and classic rock band Aerosmith, according to NCSU Libraries. The building also hosted a Raleigh-Durham TV Fair in 1953 which featured Jethro Homer and Jethro of the Breakfast Club and Mrs. Hank Williams.
“When Reynolds Coliseum is finished with its renovation, there will be a section called Walk of Fame and History which will include the Hall of Fame,” said Georgia Brown, assistant athletic director for administration for NC State Athletics. The Hall of Fame will honor coaches and student athletes who have contributed to the success of NC State sports history.
While Brown was cleaning around inside the building, she and several others discovered artifacts from the past events of Reynolds Coliseum. Remnants of popcorn containers were found, possibly from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus tour, which had used Reynolds Coliseum for several decades.
Brown adds that since Reynolds Coliseum had been a storage space for athletic and non-athletic departments, there was a lot that needed to be cleaned out.
“There were a lot of receipts, brochures and memorabilia that was found in the ductworks and behind the seats and floor,” Brown said. “Some of the closets that I cleaned out had conference championship trophies and banners that used to hang in the rafters at Reynolds.”
Those memorabilia will most likely be displayed in the Walk of Fame and History. Reynolds Coliseum is expected to open again in late August 2016.
The first game held in Reynolds Coliseum was NC State men’s basketball team against Washington and Lee University in 1949, and NC State won.
