Archbold Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Archbold Stadium| nickname =


location = Irving Ave
Syracuse, NY 13244
broke_ground = May 1, 1905
opened = September 25, 1907
closed = November 11, 1978
demolished = 1978
owner = Syracuse University
operator = Syracuse University
surface =
construction_cost=
architect =
former_names =
tenants = Syracuse Orange
(Football & Track)
seating_capacity = 40,000 (maxiumum)
26,000 (final)

Archbold Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Syracuse, New York. It opened in 1907 and was home to the Syracuse University Orange football team prior to the Carrier Dome opening in 1980. It was the third concrete football stadium built in the country.

The stadium was named for John D. Archbold, who donated $600,000 for the project. He was also responsible for funding towards the building of Archbold Gymnasium, located just to the east overlooking the stadium.

The 800' x 475' stadium was oval-shaped, with a track (originally dirt) and a natural grass football stadium. The west end zone, the stadium's main entrance, was marked by a grand castle-like façade with turrets framing the gateway arch. There was originally a wooden roof over the central section of the south grandstands for the reserved seating.

In the 1950s, the building was expanded to the north and south, bringing the capacity up to 40,000. However, by the 1970s, the building's capacity was lowered to approximately 26,000 due to fire codes. This proved to be the stadium's undoing. It was closed following the 1978 season, to be razed for the building of the Carrier Dome, which, coincidentally, is approximately 230 feet shorter than the stadium. [http://www.suathletics.com/carrierdome/history.asp?tab=dome]

In the final game at Archbold Stadium, on November 11, 1978, the Orangemen defeated nationally ranked Navy, 20-17.

During its history, Syracuse compiled a 265-112-20 record at Archbold.

External links

* [http://archives.syr.edu/archives/buildings/archbold_stadium.html Archbold Stadium - Syracuse University Archives]