Structural Integrity
Being the avid Big 10 fan that I am, I thought it would be a good idea to give you folks a more intimate look at the venues where our beloved game of football is played out. I won’t do all 11 teams, for that would make for a seemingly endless article, but rather, I’ll profile the most storied ones.
The Big 10 boasts some of the largest, loudest, and historic stadiums in the country. As a matter of fact, the conference claims 3 of the top 5 spots with Beaver Stadium, home of Penn State, taking the top spot with a capacity of 107,282 screaming fans. Followed by Michigan Stadium (a.k.a The Big House), which houses a temporary 106,201. I say temporary because after 2010 when renovations are complete, the Wolverines will regain their spot as king of the mountain. Last, but definitely not least, on the banks of the Olentangy River, Ohio Stadium (a.k.a. The Shoe) claims the fourth position with a capacity of 102,329. Not only does the Big 10 tout three spots in the top 5, but we squeeze one more stadium into the top 20. Bringing up the rear in twentieth position is Camp Randall Stadium, home to the Wisconsin Badgers and 80,321 of their closest friends.
Now that the introductions are through, let’s take a more in depth tour of the aforementioned stadiums. First up on our tour, Beaver Stadium located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Getting to State College means driving through one of the most picturesque parts of the country – the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Drive east or west along I-80 and signs will direct you right into State College and Lion country. But don’t expect your municipal college campus and sports facilities side by side here, for the stadium and the adjoining Bryce Jordan Center are on the outskirts of town and surrounded by a highway network and plenty of parking lots. So of course, those parking lots are packed with rabid tailgaters and the decorated cars, trucks and RVs can be seen from miles away when heading towards the venue. The first of many expansions to Beaver Stadium came in 1969 when the capacity was increased by 2,000. Several additions came in the 1970s including increasing the capacity to 57,000. In 1976, the bleachers in the south end zone were expanded. By 1978 the capacity was at 76,000 after the track was removed from the stadium and the stadium was cut into sections and raised, adding new seats where the track was. Two years later the capacity was raised to 83,770 and lights were installed in 1984. An upper deck was added in 1991 increasing the capacity by 10,000. Because of continued fan support PSU has continued to improve and expand Beaver Stadium. The latest renovations were completed before the start of the 2001 season. These renovations included the addition of a 10,000 seat upper deck, a new video/scoreboard, 60 luxury suites, 4,000 club seats, and new restrooms and concessions. Today, Beaver Stadium is the largest stadium in college football with a capacity of 107,282. With its size, Beaver Stadium was named the 5th scariest place for opposing teams to play.
Next up on our list, Michigan Stadium. The Big House. Home of Michigan Football. One of the country’s most classic, widely recognized sporting facilities, Michigan Stadium has come to symbolize the pride, tradition and excellence of the University of Michigan. There is truly no place like it on a fall Saturday afternoon. Since the inaugural season, Michigan Stadium has seen over 35 million fans pass through its gates and over 170 consecutive crowds of 100,000 plus. Many changes and renovations have continuously improved the quality of the facility, while increasing its capacity to its present 107,501. So what’s it like to spend a day at Michigan Stadium? Well, like many other college football venues it’s on the school’s campus. Parking can be a bit of a hassle as large open lots aren’t as plentiful as you’d like to see in a venue this size but many are available with the tailgating going in full effect. An unusual trait of this stadium is that concourses are virtually nonexistent inside the structure itself and where they do exist are very tight and difficult to negotiate. Most of the aisles that take fans to and from their section lead outside the stadium itself and into an outdoor plaza area that surrounds Michigan Stadium. Here is where you find almost all of your concession stands, team merchandise areas, restrooms (port-a-potty and permanent) etc, etc. Wrought iron fencing and gates surround the plaza to enclose the stadium area. By the way, despite their tough security measures, it is very easy to slip something in through said wrought iron fencing (just thought I’d mention that). Of course there’s the famed seating bowl with the giant M inscribed into the sideline grandstand. All seats are bench without chair back and armrest as this is not unusual for college football.
Rolling right along, we come to my personal favorite, Ohio Stadium. The Shoe. Undeniably one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of athletics, Ohio Stadium is now in its 87th year as the home of Ohio State football. Built in 1922, “The Horseshoe” has undergone an extensive three-year renovation, preservation and expansion project that will ensure its longevity for years to come. With 102,329 seats now closely surrounding the playing field, this grand old structure, standing tall along the banks of the Olentangy River, is at the same time both intimate and intimidating. Unique in design with its double-decked horseshoe look, Ohio Stadium is listed in the National Registry of Historic Buildings. And for the more than 34 million fans that have passed through its gates, there is nothing like a Saturday afternoon in Columbus with all the pageantry and fanfare that surrounds every Ohio State game. That is why year-in and year-out, the Buckeyes rank among the national attendance leaders. The tailgate and party scene here at the Horseshoe is awesome… a veritable ocean of scarlet and gray all around the stadium. The really cool party zone near the stadium is Lane Avenue, north of the building. Plenty of college pubs, eateries, many with live music and portable bars and food stands in their parking lots, even a major hotel with live band and a jumbo video board. It is all an electric atmosphere.
So there you have it, I hope this gives you a better perspective on these great and storied hallowed grounds. Words can only tell half the story. The best way to experience these stadiums and all their traditions is to go there yourself. If you can’t make it there, I hope this gets you a little bit closer to the action.
Thanks, that was good info. I haven’t been to State College in years. The first time I went it was a dump and the drive was interminable. At that time the tiny airport could only take the tiniest of private prop planes. It had grown and improved by the time we quit playing Pa State. I can’t wait to see it fixed up and huge when we renew our series in a year or two.