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==History==
==History==
[[Image:Doakinside.JPG|thumb|right|"A view of the north end zone"]]
[[Image:Doak ins UM05.jpg|thumb|right|"Game night against Miami in '05"]]
[[Image:Doak ins UM05.jpg|thumb|right|"Game night against Miami in '05"]]
The stadium, named after former Florida State President Doak S. Campbell, hosted its first game against the [[Randolph-Macon College]] [[Yellowjacket]]s on [[October 7]], [[1950]] with the Seminoles winning the game 40-7. At that time the facility had a [[seating capacity]] of 15,000. Florida State first began play at '''Centennial Field''' during the team's inaugural [[1947]] season and would continue to play there for the following two years ([[1948]] and [[1949]]). The stadium has expanded numerous times; from 15,000 seats to 19,000 in [[1954]], to 25,000 in 1961 and to 40,500 between the years [[1960]] and [[1970]]. Since that time, the stadium has expanded to almost 83,000, largely in part to the success of the football team under head coach [[Bobby Bowden]] coupled with the ever growing student body. It now is the largest football stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Aesthetically, a [[brick]] [[facade]] surrounding the stadium matches the architectural design of most of the buildings on the university's campus. In addition to the obvious recreational uses, The University Center surrounds the stadium and houses many of the university's offices. The field was officially named Bobby Bowden field on November 20, 2004 as Florida State hosted intrastate rival Florida.
The stadium, named after former Florida State President Doak S. Campbell, hosted its first game against the [[Randolph-Macon College]] [[Yellowjacket]]s on [[October 7]], [[1950]] with the Seminoles winning the game 40-7. At that time the facility had a [[seating capacity]] of 15,000. Florida State first began play at '''Centennial Field''' during the team's inaugural [[1947]] season and would continue to play there for the following two years ([[1948]] and [[1949]]). The stadium has expanded numerous times; from 15,000 seats to 19,000 in [[1954]], to 25,000 in 1961 and to 40,500 between the years [[1960]] and [[1970]]. Since that time, the stadium has expanded to almost 83,000, largely in part to the success of the football team under head coach [[Bobby Bowden]] coupled with the ever growing student body. It now is the largest football stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Aesthetically, a [[brick]] [[facade]] surrounding the stadium matches the architectural design of most of the buildings on the university's campus. In addition to the obvious recreational uses, The University Center surrounds the stadium and houses many of the university's offices. The field was officially named Bobby Bowden field on November 20, 2004 as Florida State hosted intrastate rival Florida.

Revision as of 20:25, 22 July 2008

Bobby Bowden Field at
Doak Campbell Stadium
"Doak"
File:Stadium 0279 (117).jpg
Map
Former namesDoak Campbell Stadium (1950-2004)
LocationChampions Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32306
OwnerFlorida State University
OperatorFlorida State University
Capacity84,300
Surface419 Tiftway Bermuda Grass
Construction
OpenedOctober 7, 1950
Construction cost$250,000 (in 1950)
Tenants
Florida State Seminoles (NCAA) (1950-Present)

Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium is the football stadium on the campus of the Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. It is the home venue for the university's football team, nicknamed the Seminoles. The stadium was named for Doak S. Campbell, the president of the university at the time of its construction, and the field was named for legendary head football coach Bobby Bowden. The stadium is part of the University Center complex, a mixed-use facility encompassing university office space, university classrooms, the university's Visitor's Center, souvenir store, The University Center Club, as well as skyboxes and press boxes for use during football games. Following the latest expansion in 2003, the stadium has a seating capacity of 84,300. On November 20, 2004 in accordance with an act of state legislation, the stadium and field were renamed Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium. Prior to the start of the 2007 Season a new state of the art sound and public address system was installed. Before the 2008 Seminole Football Home Season two new HD Scoreboards will be installed. The main one in the north endzone will measure over 100ft, the south endzone will have a 45 foot scoreboard. Five new LED ribbon boards will be installed in each of the four corners of the stadium as well as underneath the north scoreboard.

During a 1984 home game against Auburn, the War Chant was created at the stadium.[citation needed] Disregard, the War Chant was already an established tradition in the Fall of 1981.

History

File:Doakinside.JPG
"A view of the north end zone"
"Game night against Miami in '05"

The stadium, named after former Florida State President Doak S. Campbell, hosted its first game against the Randolph-Macon College Yellowjackets on October 7, 1950 with the Seminoles winning the game 40-7. At that time the facility had a seating capacity of 15,000. Florida State first began play at Centennial Field during the team's inaugural 1947 season and would continue to play there for the following two years (1948 and 1949). The stadium has expanded numerous times; from 15,000 seats to 19,000 in 1954, to 25,000 in 1961 and to 40,500 between the years 1960 and 1970. Since that time, the stadium has expanded to almost 83,000, largely in part to the success of the football team under head coach Bobby Bowden coupled with the ever growing student body. It now is the largest football stadium in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Aesthetically, a brick facade surrounding the stadium matches the architectural design of most of the buildings on the university's campus. In addition to the obvious recreational uses, The University Center surrounds the stadium and houses many of the university's offices. The field was officially named Bobby Bowden field on November 20, 2004 as Florida State hosted intrastate rival Florida.

Statues and stained glass

Unconquered

"Unconquered"


A 19 foot (5.8 m) tall bronze sculpture by Fritz White depicting Chief Osceola and Renegade. A tradition was immediately put in place whereby at sunset, on the night before home football games, as the Marching Chiefs play, Osceola's spear was set aflame as students, alumni, and fans gather around the statue to show their support. The flame was later extinguished at sunrise on the morning following the game. As of March, 2006, the university decided to light the spear for several reasons, including: selection into the NCAA basketball tournament, "National Player of the Year" awards for any sport, conference championships, graduations and convocations, etc.[1] A small inscription near the base of the statue reads: "This statue does not depict any particular person or event. Rather, it symbolically portrays the unconquered spirit of the Seminole people of the 19th century and the timeless legacy of that spirit that continues to burn bright into the future.". The statue was unveiled at the Williams Family Plaza on October 10, 2003, and "Unconquered" was engraved in its stone pedestal on September 2, 2005.

Sportsmanship

File:Sportsmanship-lg.jpg
"Sportsmanship"


A bronze sculpture by Edward Jonas, is a 15-foot (4.6 m) tall statue depicting a standing football player extending his arm to help pick up a fallen rival on the field. In 2002 the statue was selected by the National Sculpture Society to be showcased in its special exhibit "Sports Sculpture". A one-quarter life size scale model represented the sculpture in the New York exhibition. The statue is located at the Al D. Strum Plaza.

Bobby Bowden sculpture

File:Bbstatue jpg.JPG
The bronze likeness of Bobby Bowden.


A 9 foot (2.7 m) tall bronze statue of head football coach Bobby Bowden, created by W. Stanley "Sandy" Proctor, was unveiled outside of the Coyle E. Moore Athletic Center on September 25, 2004 and was dedicated along with the Les and Ruth Akers Plaza.


Stained glass window

Bobby Bowden Stained Glass window

A three-story, stained-glass window commemorating the naming of the field was unveiled on November 20, 2004, the day of the annual Florida State/Florida game. The window depicts Bowden overlooking the field among a sea of fans in the stands. The 30-by-20-foot window was installed over the entrance of the Moore Athletic Center. Created by Florida State artist Robert Bischoff, his wife, JoAnn, and 12 Florida State students in the Master Craftsman Program, the window is among the five largest stained glass windows in the United States.

Seminole Family in Bronze

File:FSUseminole Family.JPG
"Seminole Family"

This new addition to the outside of the stadium was unveiled on Friday, October 20, 2006. The statue was designed by Brad Cooley, Sr. and Brad Cooley, Jr. of Lamont, Florida. Known as "Seminole Family in Bronze", the statue shows what may have been a typical Seminole family around the time of the Seminole Wars in the 1800s. [2]

University Center

The University Center

Doak Campbell Stadium is a unique venue in collegiate football. It is contained within the brick facade walls of University Center, a vast complex that houses the offices of the University, the Registrar, School of Hospitality as well as numerous other offices and classrooms.

  • The University Center A (East wing)

Building A houses the offices of the Registrar, Financial Aid, Admissions and Dean of Students. The Career Center is also located here until it is moved to the new Student Success Center. The Award Winning Film School is Located in the 2nd wing of Building A. The top two floors are home to Skyboxes

  • The University Center B (South Wing)

Building B holds the Seminole Sportshop as well as Visitor Services. UCB is also home to the University Center Club and to the Osceola Sports Grill, the ultimate way to watch a Seminole Football game. The highly ranked Dedman School of Hospitality is located on the second floor of Building B.

  • The University Center C (West Wing)

Building C is home to the College of Communication, Florida State Testing Center as well as the College of Social Work. The Athletics Ticket office is also located here as are many of the offices of Seminole Boosters. Floor nine is home to the Press Boxes with two floors of Skyboxes below.

  • Moore Athletic Center (University Center D)

Located on the North Side of Doak Campbell, the athletic center houses nearly all of the athletic offices as well as some classrooms and lecture halls. Visitors are welcomed into the Great Hall showcasing the best of Seminole Athletics. The two National Championship Football trophies are on display for all to see. 30°26′17.29″N 84°18′15.54″W / 30.4381361°N 84.3043167°W / 30.4381361; -84.3043167

  • Official Florida State Athletics page for Bobby Bowden Field at Doak S. Campbell Stadium