The building housing the arena is named for Myrl H. Shoemaker, the former lieutenant governor of the state of Ohio.

Prior to the building of The Shoe, the Bearcats played off-campus at Riverfront Coliseum (now Heritage Bank Center) and the Cincinnati Gardens.

Like its predecessor, it is named Ed Jucker court, in honor of the coach who led the Bearcats to their two national championships.

During the Bob Huggins era, it was known as one of the most hostile arenas in the nation due to the high decibel levels typical of his tenure.

The UC Board of Trustees approved an interim $2.2-million funding request to allow for completion of documents in the design development phase.

[11] Proposed improvements to the facility, include the creation of a 360-degree seating bowl, new HD scoreboard, ribbon boards, sound system, an LED lighting system which will allow for enhanced gameday presentation, new restroom and concession facilities, a new upper-level concourse with its own fan amenities, expanded food and beverage options and a new main entrance and plaza with centralized ticketing and guest services.

During the meeting, trustee Rob Richardson Jr. said the upgraded facility would support the university's objective to join a power athletic conference and in student-athlete recruitment.

Construction was originally scheduled to start in March 2016 with completion by September 2017, but the timeframe was pushed as a result of the project's complexity and pace of fundraising.

A first phase of the renovation was completed prior to the start of the 2016-2017 season, adding four 18-seat luxury suites on the sixth floor of the arena behind the north baseline of the court, which formerly housed the UCATS Club.

Men's and women's basketball and volleyball home events would be conducted off campus during the 2017–18 season while the rest of the renovation was performed.

[15] In April 2017, the university announced that the women's basketball and volleyball teams will play their home games in the St. Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center near campus.