The Coliseum was named after President William R. Johnson who retired from SFA on July 15, 1990, after 14 years of service.

The Ladyjacks volleyball team played in the Coliseum until 2011 when they moved to the Robert H. Shelton Gymnasium.

[1] The Coliseum is named after Dr. William R. Johnson, SFA's fourth President in the university's then 55 year history.

Dr. Johnson served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict and suffered burns from an explosion and he required a year of hospital treatment, delaying his enrollment in undergraduate programs at the University of Houston.

Johnson expanded programs and buildings including Liberal Arts North, the University Center, Forestry, Rusk, Chemistry, and the Steen Library.