Delaware Stadium
The Tub | |
 | |
| Location | South College Avenue Newark, DE 19716 |
|---|---|
| Owner | University of Delaware |
| Operator | University of Delaware Athletics Department |
| Capacity | 22,000 (1998–present)[1] 23,000 (1979–1998) 21,500 (1970–1978) 13,500 (1964–1969) 10,000 (1958–1963) 9,000 (1952–1957) |
| Surface | FieldTurf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 3, 1951 |
| Opened | November 15, 1952 |
| Renovated | 1993, 2019 |
| Expanded | 1964, 1970, 1972, 1975 |
| Construction cost | $182,000[2] ($1.68 million in 2017 dollars[3]) |
| 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
1 History
1.1 Renovations
2 Present day
3 Attendance records
4 Delaware football records at Delaware Stadium
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
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.
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 from 1999 to 2010.[4] 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.
Renovations
The stadium underwent another renovation in mid-2008 with the addition of a 42-foot-wide (13 m) high-definition video board[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]
Present day
The student section of Delaware Stadium, known as the Cockpit, in reference to the Fightin' Blue Hens mascot.
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.
A view of the interior of Delaware Stadium facing the home stands.
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.
A view of the interior of Delaware Stadium facing the visitor's stands.
On June 6, 2010, 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 would have increased 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.[8] However, these plans never materialized.
Attendance records
| Rank | Attendance | Date | Game result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23,619 | October 27, 1973 | Blue Hens 8, Temple 31 |
| 2 | 23,110 | September 9, 1985 | Blue Hens 16, Navy 13 |
| 3 | 23,100 | November 14, 1987 | Blue Hens 22, Navy 31 |
| 4 | 23,045 | October 18, 1986 | Blue Hens 18, William & Mary 22 |
| 5 | 23,019 | November 19, 1977 | Blue Hens 21, Colgate 3 |
| 6 | 22,911 | November 7, 1992 | Blue Hens 33, Connecticut 7 |
| 7 | 22,891 | November 20, 2010 | Blue Hens 21, Villanova 28 (OT) |
| 8 | 22,805 | October 28, 1989 | Blue Hens 35, Maine 28 |
| 9 | 22,784 | October 3, 1981 | Blue Hens 21, Lehigh 24 |
| 10 | 22,782 | September 11, 2004 | Blue Hens 21, Towson 17 |
| 11 | 22,727 | September 2, 2004 | Blue Hens 21, New Hampshire 24 |
| 12 | 22,680 | November 1, 1980 | Blue Hens 17, Villanova 7 |
| 13 | 22,648 | November 18, 1972 | Blue Hens 20, Bucknell 3 |
| 14 | 22,601 | November 2, 1991 | Blue Hens 34, Maine 10 |
| 15 | 22,582 | October 30, 1971 | Blue Hens 27, Temple 32 |
| 16 | 22,576 | October 16, 2010 | Blue Hens 24, Rhode Island 17 |
| 17 | 22,555 | October 18, 1980 | Blue Hens 7, Northern Michigan 22 |
| 18 | 22,537 | September 10, 2005 | Blue Hens 34, Lehigh 33 |
| 19 | 22,495 | September 8, 2007 | Blue Hens 41, West Chester 14 |
| 20 | 22,379 | September 19, 1981 | Blue Hens 13, Temple 7 |
| 21 | 22,331 | September 17, 2005 | Blue Hens 42, West Chester 21 |
| 22 | 22,329 | September 9, 2006 | Blue Hens 30, West Chester 7 |
| 23 | 22,304 | October 5, 1991 | Blue Hens 28, New Hampshire 45 |
| 24 | 22,301 | October 22, 1988 | Blue Hens 10, Massachusetts 7 |
| 25 | 22,293 | October 28, 1995 | Blue Hens 61, Maine 0 |
Delaware football records at Delaware Stadium
| Year | Win | Loss | Tie | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1953 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 |
| 1954 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1955 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 |
| 1956 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .583 |
| 1957 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| 1958 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 |
| 1959 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1960 | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 |
| 1961 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 |
| 1962 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 |
| 1963 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1964 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 |
| 1965 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 |
| 1966 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1967 | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 |
| 1968 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1969 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 1970 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 1971 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 1972 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1973 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 1974 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1975 | 5 | 3 | 0 | .625 |
| 1976 | 5 | 2 | 1 | .688 |
| 1977 | 5 | 1 | 1 | .786 |
| 1978 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1979 | 8 | 1 | 0 | .889 |
| 1980 | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 |
| 1981 | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 |
| 1982 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1983 | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 |
| 1984 | 7 | 1 | 0 | .875 |
| 1985 | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 |
| 1986 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 |
| 1987 | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 |
| 1988 | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 |
| 1989 | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 |
| 1990 | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 |
| 1991 | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 |
| 1992 | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 |
| 1993 | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 |
| 1994 | 4 | 1 | 1 | .750 |
| 1995 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1996 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1997 | 6 | 2 | 0 | .750 |
| 1998 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 1999 | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 |
| 2000 | 7 | 2 | 0 | .778 |
| 2001 | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 |
| 2002 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 2003 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2004 | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 |
| 2005 | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 |
| 2006 | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 |
| 2007 | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 |
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 |
| 2009 | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 |
| 2010 | 9 | 1 | 0 | .900 |
| 2011 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| 2012 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 |
| 2013 | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 |
| 2014 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 |
| 2016 | 2 | 3 | 0 | .500 |
| 2017 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
| Total | 306–104–4 | .744 | ||
See also
- Frazer Field
- Wilmington Park
- List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums
References
^ "Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium". Retrieved 22 November 2016.Erected in 1952 and enlarged prior to the 1964, 1970, 1972 and the 1975 seasons, the 22,000-seat stadium is the second largest in the Colonial Athletic Association and one of the largest in the nation in FCS football.
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^ "Steel Slowdown Hampers Work on New Stadium at Delaware". The Sunday Star. Wilmington. July 6, 1952. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
^ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
^ "2009 University of Delaware Football Game Notes #11" (PDF). bluehens.com. November 16, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 13, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
^ "University of Delaware Athletic Fund". University of Delaware. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
^ Tresolini, Kevin (September 15, 2009). "Delaware Stadium Gets a New Look on the Outside". The News Journal. Wilmington. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
^ "University of Delaware Athletic Fund". University of Delaware. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
^ Shannon, Josh (June 11, 2010). "Harker Unveils Plans for Renovated Stadium, New East Campus Housing". The Review. University of Delaware. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
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[dead link]
Coordinates: 39°39′42″N 75°44′56″W / 39.6617°N 75.7488°W / 39.6617; -75.7488
