The first concert in Rupp Arena featured Lawrence Welk and his orchestra and was attended by Adolph Rupp, the legendary former basketball coach, and his family. Welk, then 73, had been friends with Rupp for many years and told the crowd that Rupp had promised him a chance to play at the opening of the new arena. Welk thanked the former coach and gave him a baton as a memento. About 20,000 fans attended the afternoon show on Oct. 17, 1976. A commemorative special section marking Rupp Arena’s 40th anniversary is in Sunday’s Herald-Leader. Click here to see a gallery of images. Photo by Chela Richardson | Staff