Delaware Stadium

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Delaware Stadium
Location	South College Avenue Newark, DE 19716
Broke ground	August 3, 1951
Opened	November 15, 1952
Closed	Open
Owner	University of Delaware
Operator	The University of Delaware Department of Athletics
Surface	Natural Grass
Construction cost	$ million USD
Tenants	University of Delaware Blue Hens football (NCAA) (1952-Present)
Capacity	22,000 [1]

Delaware Stadium is a 22,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Newark, Delaware, and is home to the University of Delaware Blue Hens football team. The stadium is part of the David M. Nelson Athletic Complex, which includes the Bob Carpenter Center, Fred P. Rullo Stadium, the Fred Rust Ice Arena and the Delaware Field House.

[edit] History

Delaware Stadium opened in 1952 on November 15th with the Blue Hens defeating Lafayette 13-12. Delaware Stadium has expanded with the growth of the university, with seating expansions in 1964, 1970, 1972, and 1975. Upgrades to the seating and facilities were made in 1992-93, along with a resurfacing of the field and reconstruction of the drainage and irrigation systems. Prior to the 2000 season, the university installed permanent lighting at the stadium, consisting of eight stanchions casting broadcast quality light. The first night game in Delaware Stadium history was played against The Citadel on September 9, 2000 with 22,075 in attendance.^[2]

Delaware Stadium consistently ranks among the highest in terms of Division I-AA attendance. Average attendance for the 2006 season was 21,825; second only to The University of Montana. The largest Delaware Stadium crowd was the 23,619 spectators that watched the Blue Hens host Temple, Oct. 27, 1973.

On August 29, 2002 the field was dedicated as Tubby Raymond Field, in honor of longtime Blue Hen Football coach Harold "Tubby" Raymond.

The stadium has hosted the Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1984 and 1986, and two NCAA Men's Lacrosse Tournament first round games in May, 2002.

[edit] Present day

The current stadium configuration has concrete grandstands on the east and west sides, with the press box on the top of the west grandstand, and permanent metal bleachers on the north and south end zones. The Delaware football team enters the field from beneath the south end zone bleachers, which are reserved for student seating and the marching band.

The "Cockpit" is the University of Delaware's student section at home football games. Students sit behind the South Endzone. At 22,000, Delaware Stadium has the highest seating capacity in the CAA and is home to one of the loudest student sections in the conference.

Delaware Stadium is also the venue for the annual commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors and graduate students in May.

[edit] References

v • d • e Football stadiums of the Colonial Athletic Association Bridgeforth Stadium (James Madison) • Cowell Stadium (New Hampshire) • James M. Shuart Stadium (Hofstra) • Meade Stadium (Rhode Island) • Minnegan Field at Johnny Unitas Stadium (Towson) • Morse Field at Alfond Stadium (Maine) • Parsons Field (Northeastern) • Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium (Delaware) • University of Richmond Stadium (Richmond) • Villanova Stadium (Villanova) • Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field (William & Mary) • Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium (Massachusetts)

v • d • e College football venues in Delaware Division I FCS CAA Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium (Delaware) MEAC Alumni Stadium (Delaware State) Division III ACFC Wolverine Stadium (Wesley)