Waldo Stadium
| Dwight B. Waldo Stadium | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Former names | Western State Teachers College Field |
| Location | 1903 West Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008 |
| Coordinates | 42°17′9″N 85°36′4″W / 42.28583°N 85.60111°WCoordinates: 42°17′9″N 85°36′4″W / 42.28583°N 85.60111°W |
| Broke ground | 1938 |
| Opened | October 7, 1939[1] |
| Renovated | 1995 |
| Expanded | 1973, 1989 |
| Owner | Western Michigan University |
| Operator | Western Michigan University |
| Surface | FieldTurf (2006–present) NexTurf (2000–2005) Prescription Athletic Turf (1992–1999) Astroturf (1972–1991) Natural Grass (1939–1972) |
| Construction cost | $250,000 USD ($4.13 million in 2013 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | Hobbs+Black (1995 renovation) |
| Capacity | 30,200 (1989–present) 25,000 (1973–1988) 15,000 (1939–1972) |
| Record attendance | 36,361 (September 16, 2000 vs Indiana State)[3] |
| Tenants | |
| Western Michigan Broncos (NCAA) (1939–present) | |
Waldo Stadium is a stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Opened in 1939, it now has a capacity of 30,200 spectators.
Contents |
History [edit]
The stadium was built at a cost of $250,000, and it opened in 1939 with a 6-0 win over Miami University.[4] The cost for Waldo Stadium also included the construction of Hyames Field, the school's baseball stadium directly west of the football field. The stadium is named for Dwight B. Waldo, first president of the school.[5]
The location of Waldo Stadium has been home for Western football since 1914. A field, without a stadium or modern seating, existed through 1938, until the construction and completion of the stadium in 1939. It originally included an 8-lane track, which has since moved to Kanley Track across the street. Financing came through private donations, and those who donated were awarded tickets to the inaugural game against Western Kentucky University. Over the years, WMU continued adding seating to the stadium, and a renovation in 1989 pushed the available seats to 30,200.[6] Focal renovations have included the Bill Brown Alumni Center and the John Gill press box, added to the main seating on the north and south sidelines.[7]
A state-of-the-art scoreboard and video screen were installed in 2003, located at the southwest endzone. It was made possible through a donation from Coca-Cola.[8]
Attendance [edit]
A Waldo Stadium-record crowd of 36,361 saw the Broncos defeat Indiana State University 56-0, in 2000.[9]
The highest season-average attendance occurred in 1999, with an average of 26,874 per game.[10]
Indiana University was the first Big Ten school to play at Waldo Stadium in 2007.[11] Over 32,000 fans saw IU defeat WMU in a rain-filled night game. Other BCS conference teams to visit Waldo Stadium include Virginia in 2003 and Virginia Tech in 2002. Waldo Stadium will host Western Michigan versus Michigan State and Illinois in 2015 and 2016, respectively.[12]
Waldo Stadium also holds two of the top four home attendance figures in Mid-American Conference history and five of the top 10 home crowds.
Seelye Center [edit]
In 2003, the stadium took on a new look with the completion of the 25 million dollar Donald J. Seelye Center. Also known as the "J", the Seelye Center rises 8 stories and houses an indoor practice field, weight and fitness rooms, and staff offices.[13][14] It is located on the edge of the northeast endzone, allowing the Seelye club suites to get a view of the game. The Seelye Center incorporated the existing Oakland Gymnasium into the structure, allowing for a very modern entrance on one side, and a retro style on the other.
High school football [edit]
In May 2010, the Kalamazoo Valley Association (a local high school athletic conference) announced that it would be playing an inaugural Kalamazoo Valley Association Football Classic at the stadium.[15]
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.databasefootball.com/College/teams/teamyear.htm?TeamID=118&Season=1939
- ^ Staff. Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2012. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ http://football.ballparks.com/NCAA/MidAmerica/WesternMichigan/index.htm
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120527
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120527
- ^ 2007 WMU football media guide
- ^ http://www.collegegridirons.com/mac/WaldoStadium.htm
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120527
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120527
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120527
- ^ https://www.nmnathletics.com/pdf3/80853.pdf
- ^ http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2011/04/western_michigan_football_to_h.html
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120528
- ^ http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=120527
- ^ http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-8337641652735761102/coaches-players-filled-with-anticipation-for-inaugural-kva-football-classic
External links [edit]
- Waldo Stadium - WMUBroncos.com - Official Website of WMU Athletics
- Donald Seelye Athletic Center - WMUBroncos.com - Official Website of WMU Athletics
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