- Delaware Stadium
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Delaware Stadium The Tub Location South College Avenue
Newark, DE 19716Broke ground August 3, 1951 Opened November 15, 1952 Renovated 1993 Expanded 1964, 1970, 1972, 1975 Owner University of Delaware Operator University of Delaware Athletics Department Surface FieldTurf Construction cost $182,000[1] Capacity 22,000 [2] Tenants University of Delaware Blue Hens football (NCAA) (1952-Present)
University of Delaware Men's Lacrosse (NCAA) (2010-Present)
University of Delaware Women's Lacrosse (NCAA) (2011-Present)Delaware Stadium is a 22,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Newark, Delaware, and is home to the University of Delaware Fightin' 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.
Contents
History
Delaware Stadium opened on November 15, 1952 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]
The Blue Hens have been among the attendance leaders in I-AA/FCS for over 30 years, with a fan base as loyal as those of major FBS teams. For a typical Blue Hen home game, Delaware Stadium becomes the fourth-largest city in the state (behind Wilmington, Dover and Newark itself). Average attendance for the 2006 season was 21,825; second only to the University of Montana. By comparison, most FCS teams attract 10,000 on a good day. Delaware is the only NCAA FCS team in the nation to average 20,000 or more fans per regular season home game each of the last 11 seasons.[3] The largest Delaware Stadium crowd was the standing-room only crowd of 23,719 that watched the Blue Hens host Temple, October 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.
The stadium underwent another renovation in mid-2008 with the addition of a 42-foot-wide (13 m) high-definition video board[4] and a high-fidelity, 20 kilowatt audio system. A video control room was added inside the Bob Carpenter Center.
In early September 2009, six 20- by 30-foot (6.1 by 9.1 m) posters were added to the facade of the stadium, featuring past stars of Delaware football. The first six posters added were Joe Flacco, Eddie Conti, Daryl Brown, Chuck Hall, Conway Hayman, and Rich Gannon.[5] Photos of more than 40 stars of years past were submitted to Sports Graphics of Indianapolis, Indiana and will be rotated throughout the stadium at different times. A "Wall of Champions" banner that lists accomplishments of the Fightin' Blue Hens was also added as part of the visual upgrade of the facility.
From December 2009 to January 2010 the grass field was replaced with new FieldTurf artificial surface.
The stands underwent more improvements in the summer of 2011. Hand rails were added along each aisle of the east and west grandstands.[6]
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. Behind the north end zone there is the scoreboard with a video screen used to show replays and other videos. The Delaware football team enters the field from the tunnel beneath the south end zone bleachers, which are reserved for student seating and the marching band.
The "Cockpit" is the nickname of the University of Delaware's student section at home football games located behind the south end zone. At 22,000, Delaware Stadium has the 2nd highest seating capacity in the CAA.
Delaware Stadium is also the venue for the annual commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors and graduate students in May.
On June 6, 2010 the official plans for stadium renovations were unveiled by University President Patrick Harker. The new plans unveiled include adding luxury suites to the stadium, an additional 8,200 seats overall (which will increase seating to over 30,000 seats), a 96,000-square-foot (8,900 m2) performance center, a club lounge, and new facilities for TV and radio.[7]
See also
- Frazer Field
- Wilmington Park
References
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=h7MmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5wEGAAAAIBAJ&pg=6088,5643451&dq=delaware+stadium&hl=en
- ^ a b "University of Delaware Athletics and Sports Information". Bluehens.com. http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/facilities/stadium.html. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
- ^ "2009 University of Delaware Football Game Notes #11". bluehens.com. 16 Nov 2009. http://www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/football/fbnotes09-villanova.pdf. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ^ "University of Delaware Athletic Fund". Udaf.udel.edu. http://www.udaf.udel.edu/capital_projects.html. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
- ^ "Delaware Stadium gets a new look on the outside". Blogs.delawareonline.com. 2009-09-15. http://blogs.delawareonline.com/collegesports/2009/09/15/delaware-stadium-gets-a-new-look-on-the-outside/. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
- ^ "University of Delaware Athletic Fund". Udaf.udel.edu. http://www.udaf.udel.edu/hand_rails.html. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
- ^ "Harker unveils plans for renovated stadium, new East Campus housing". Udreview.com. 2010-06-11. http://www.udreview.com/web-updates/harker-unveils-plans-for-renovated-stadium-new-east-campus-housing-1.1489699#5. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
External links
- University of Delaware Athletics: Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium
- Interactive Map Of FCS College Football Stadiums: Click on the Delaware Logo to get a satellite view & directions to the stadium
Coordinates: 39°39′42″N 75°44′56″W / 39.6617°N 75.7488°W
University of Delaware Colleges 
Athletics Colonial Athletic Association • Bob Carpenter Center • Delaware Fight Song • Delaware Stadium • Football (2011 • Coach) • Frazer Field • Fred Rust Ice Arena • Men’s Lacrosse • Men's Soccer • YoUDee
Campus Main campus: Newark
Satellite campuses: Dover • Georgetown • Lewes • Wilmington
Botanic Gardens • Delaware Biotechnology Institute • Disaster Research Center • Energy Institute • Images • University Museums at the University of DelawarePeople Alumni • Faculty • Patrick T. Harker (President) • Police
Student life Deer Park Tavern • Emergency Care Unit • Figure Skating Club • Greek life • The Lamplighter • The Review • Mainstreet Journal • Petal and Thorn • WVUD
Other Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football University of Delaware • Newark, Delaware All-time record 657–419–44 (.606)All-time nicknames None (1889–1910) • Fightin' Blue Hens (1911–present)Conferences Head coaches National championships (6) 1946 • 1963 • 1971 • 1972 • 1979 • 2003Conference championships (10) 1946 • 1986 • 1988 • 1991 • 1992 • 1995 • 2000 • 2003 • 2004 • 2010NCAA playoffs (20) 1973 • 1974 • 1976 • 1978 • 1979 • 1981 • 1982 • 1986 • 1988 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 2000 • 2003 • 2004 • 2007 • 2010Seasons (120) 1889 • 1890 • 1891 • 1892 • 1893 • 1894 • 1895 • 1896 • 1897 • 1898 • 1899 • 1900 • 1901 • 1902 • 1903 • 1904 • 1905 • 1906 • 1907 • 1908 • 1909 • 1910 • 1911 • 1912 • 1913 • 1914 • 1915 • 1916 • 1917 • 1918 • 1919 • 1920 • 1921 • 1922 • 1923 • 1924 • 1925 • 1926 • 1927 • 1928 • 1929 • 1930 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1937 • 1938 • 1939 • 1940 • 1941 • 1942 •1943•1944•1945• 1946 • 1947 • 1948 • 1949 • 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 20111958 • 1962 • 1963 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1976 • 1979 • 1982 • 1991 • 1995 • 1997 • 2000 • 2003 • 2007 • 20101974 • 1976 • 1978 • 1979 • 1982 • 1991 • 1995 • 1997 • 2000 • 2003 • 2007 • 2010Bowl games (11) Delaware State (Route 1 Rivalry) • West Chester • Villanova (Battle of the Blue) • William & Mary • TempleStadiums Frazer Field (1913–1940) • Wilmington Park (1940–1952) • Delaware Stadium (1952–present)Football stadiums of the Colonial Athletic Association Delaware Stadium (Delaware) • Bridgeforth Stadium (James Madison) • Morse Field at Alfond Stadium (Maine) • Cowell Stadium (New Hampshire) • Foreman Field (Old Dominion) • Meade Stadium (Rhode Island) • E. Claiborne Robins Stadium (Richmond) • Johnny Unitas Stadium (Towson) • Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium (UMass) • Villanova Stadium (Villanova) • Zable Stadium (William & Mary)
College football venues in Delaware Division I
FCSCAA Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium (Delaware)
MEAC Division III ACFC Wolverine Stadium (Wesley)
Categories:- American football venues in Delaware
- College football venues
- Delaware Fighting Blue Hens football
- NCAA Men's Division I Lacrosse Championship venues
- Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States
- Buildings and structures completed in 1952
- Buildings and structures in New Castle County, Delaware
- Visitor attractions in New Castle County, Delaware
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