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Coordinates: 36°53′20.04″N 76°18′17.56″W / 36.8889000°N 76.3048778°W / 36.8889000; -76.3048778
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Foreman Field hosted the annual [[Oyster Bowl]] game from [[1946 college football season|1946]] to [[1995 NCAA Division I-AA football season|1995]], featuring major college football teams in its early decades. [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]] defeated [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy]] there in [[1959 college football season|1959]] on its way to [[1959 Syracuse Orangemen football team|winning the national championship]]. Future [[NFL]] stars [[Fran Tarkenton]], [[Roger Staubach]], and [[Don Meredith]] played in Oyster Bowl games. It was also the home of the minor pro [[Norfolk Neptunes]] in the 1960s and 1970s, and the [[Washington Redskins]] played several pre-season games there in the 1960s. Over the years Foreman Field was used for several high-profile concerts including [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]]'s 1974 reunion tour, more than 33,000 people were in attendance.
Foreman Field hosted the annual [[Oyster Bowl]] game from [[1946 college football season|1946]] to [[1995 NCAA Division I-AA football season|1995]], featuring major college football teams in its early decades. [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]] defeated [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy]] there in [[1959 college football season|1959]] on its way to [[1959 Syracuse Orangemen football team|winning the national championship]]. Future [[NFL]] stars [[Fran Tarkenton]], [[Roger Staubach]], and [[Don Meredith]] played in Oyster Bowl games. It was also the home of the minor pro [[Norfolk Neptunes]] in the 1960s and 1970s, and the [[Washington Redskins]] played several pre-season games there in the 1960s. Over the years Foreman Field was used for several high-profile concerts including [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]]'s 1974 reunion tour, more than 33,000 people were in attendance.



⚫
[[File:CSNY Norfolk Virginia Aug 27 1974 stadium.jpg|thumb|left|CSNY Norfolk Virginia Aug 27 1974 at Foreman Field]]


The [[Virginia Ambassadors]] of the [[World Football League]] were to play their games at Foreman Field in 1974 before the franchise was sold and moved to [[Orlando]]. The [[Shreveport Pirates]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] almost moved there for the 1996 season before the franchise folded.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Skip |title=CFL Team Leaving Troubles Behind To Court Norfolk |url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19951029-1995-10-29-9510290096-story.html |accessdate=15 October 2018 |work=Daily Press |date=29 October 1995}}</ref> The [[United Football League (2009–12)|United Football League]]'s [[Virginia Destroyers]] likewise considered Foreman Field as a potential location before instead choosing the [[Virginia Beach Sportsplex]]. A drawing of Foreman Field is featured in the [[John Grisham]] novel ''[[Bleachers (novel)|Bleachers]]''.
The [[Virginia Ambassadors]] of the [[World Football League]] were to play their games at Foreman Field in 1974 before the franchise was sold and moved to [[Orlando]]. The [[Shreveport Pirates]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] almost moved there for the 1996 season before the franchise folded.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Skip |title=CFL Team Leaving Troubles Behind To Court Norfolk |url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19951029-1995-10-29-9510290096-story.html |accessdate=15 October 2018 |work=Daily Press |date=29 October 1995}}</ref> The [[United Football League (2009–12)|United Football League]]'s [[Virginia Destroyers]] likewise considered Foreman Field as a potential location before instead choosing the [[Virginia Beach Sportsplex]]. A drawing of Foreman Field is featured in the [[John Grisham]] novel ''[[Bleachers (novel)|Bleachers]]''.


===Renovations===

==Old Dominion Football==


{{Main|Old Dominion Monarchs football}}
{{Main|Old Dominion Monarchs football}}


The stadium underwent a $24.8 million renovation in preparation for the start of the 2009 I-AA season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Radford|first=Rich|title=ODU Plans $24.8 Million Renovation of Foreman Field|url=http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=133335&ran=44452|newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|location=Norfolk|date=September 26, 2007|accessdate=November 24, 2007}}</ref> In July 2009, the stadium was renamed Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, in honor of a local contractor, who donated more than $2.5 million for the stadium.<ref>[http://hamptonroads.com/2009/07/old-dominion-names-foreman-field-stadium-sb-ballard ODU stadium to bear name of contractor, $2.5M benefactor]</ref> On September 5, 2009, the first ODU football game was held at Foreman Field. Old Dominion defeated [[Chowan University]] 36&ndash;21.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Dell|first=Larry|title=Old Dominion Beats Chowan 36-21|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gQDlRcK5Hno-2TAU1XidBUAtVQewD9AHHMJG2 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=September 5, 2009|accessdate=September 6, 2009}}</ref>
The stadium underwent a $24.8 million renovation in preparation for the start of the 2009 I-AA season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Radford|first=Rich|title=ODU Plans $24.8 Million Renovation of Foreman Field|url=http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=133335&ran=44452|newspaper=[[The Virginian-Pilot]]|location=Norfolk|date=September 26, 2007|accessdate=November 24, 2007}}</ref> In July 2009, the stadium was renamed Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, in honor of a local contractor, who donated more than $2.5 million for the stadium.<ref>[http://hamptonroads.com/2009/07/old-dominion-names-foreman-field-stadium-sb-ballard ODU stadium to bear name of contractor, $2.5M benefactor]</ref> On September 5, 2009, the first ODU football game was held at Foreman Field. Old Dominion defeated [[Chowan University]] 36&ndash;21.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Dell|first=Larry|title=Old Dominion Beats Chowan 36-21|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gQDlRcK5Hno-2TAU1XidBUAtVQewD9AHHMJG2 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=September 5, 2009|accessdate=September 6, 2009}}</ref>
{{clear}}


In 2016, [[Populous (company)|Populous]] did an expansion study and recommended that Foreman Field be torn down and rebuilt because the existing structure could not be updated to meet modern building codes. Old Dominion University endorsed the study findings and the plan to renovate the stadium was approved by the [[Virginia General Assembly]] in 2017. Phase I of the stadium renovation will be completed between the 2018 and 2019 football seasons. The capacity after the completion of Phase I will 22,130. The capacity after Phase II will be over 30,000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Minium |first1=Harry |title=ODU proposes 22,130-seat football stadium to be built without new student fees |url=https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/old-dominion/football/odu-proposes--seat-football-stadium-to-be-built-without/article_89d107e7-0c7a-5824-9bde-c777021c94cc.html |accessdate=15 October 2018 |work=Virginian-Pilot |date=9 June 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2016, [[Populous (company)|Populous]] did an expansion study and recommended that Foreman Field be torn down and rebuilt because the existing structure could not be updated to meet modern building codes. Old Dominion University endorsed the study findings and the plan to renovate the stadium was approved by the [[Virginia General Assembly]] in 2017. Phase I of the stadium renovation will be completed between the 2018 and 2019 football seasons. The capacity after the completion of Phase I will 22,130. The capacity after Phase II will be over 30,000.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Minium |first1=Harry |title=ODU proposes 22,130-seat football stadium to be built without new student fees |url=https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/old-dominion/football/odu-proposes--seat-football-stadium-to-be-built-without/article_89d107e7-0c7a-5824-9bde-c777021c94cc.html |accessdate=15 October 2018 |work=Virginian-Pilot |date=9 June 2016 |language=en}}</ref>


Old Dominion played their final game in Foreman Field's original form on November 17, 2018 against [[2018 VMI Keydets football team|Virginia Military Institute]]. Demolition of the old grandstands began on November 19, 2018, and reconstruction is expected to be completed in time for Old Dominion's [[2019 Old Dominion Monarchs football team|2019 season]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winkler |first1=Adam |title=Old Dominion University begins demolition of Foreman Field |url=https://wtkr.com/2018/11/19/old-dominion-begins-demolition-of-foreman-field/ |publisher=WTKR-TV |accessdate=December 3, 2018}}</ref>
Old Dominion played their final game in Foreman Field's original form on November 17, 2018 against [[2018 VMI Keydets football team|Virginia Military Institute]]. Demolition of the old grandstands began on November 19, 2018, and a $67.5 million reconstruction is expected to be completed in time for Old Dominion's [[2019 Old Dominion Monarchs football team|2019 season]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winkler |first1=Adam |title=Old Dominion University begins demolition of Foreman Field |url=https://wtkr.com/2018/11/19/old-dominion-begins-demolition-of-foreman-field/ |publisher=WTKR-TV |accessdate=December 3, 2018}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
⚫
File:CSNY Norfolk Virginia Aug 27 1974 stadium.jpg|thumb|left|CSNY Norfolk Virginia Aug 27 1974 at Foreman Field
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 13:05, 11 April 2019

Foreman Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium
Foreman Field in 2015
Foreman Field is located in Virginia
Foreman Field
Foreman Field
Location in Virginia
Foreman Field is located in the United States
Foreman Field
Foreman Field
Location in the United States
Location5115 Hampton Boulevard
Norfolk, Virginia 23529
Coordinates36°53′20.04″N 76°18′17.56″W / 36.8889000°N 76.3048778°W / 36.8889000; -76.3048778
OwnerOld Dominion University
OperatorGlobal Spectrum
Capacity20,118[1] (2013–present)
20,068 (2012)
19,818 (2011)[2]
19,782 (2009–2010)
20,000 (1998-2008)
25,662 (1981–1997)
26,000 (1957–1980)
17,500 (1936–1956)
SurfaceAstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D
Construction
Broke ground1935
OpenedOctober 3, 1936[3]
Renovated2009
ClosedNovember 17, 2018 (for demolition and reconstruction)
Construction cost$300,000[3]
($6.59 million in 2014 dollars[4])
$29,521,218 (renovation)
ArchitectEllerbe Becket (renovation)
Tenants
Old Dominion Monarchs (NCAA)
Field hockey (1974–2007)
Football (1936–1940; 2009–present)
Norfolk Neptunes (CFL and ACFL) (1966–1971) Norfolk State Spartans (1986–1996)

Foreman Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium is a 20,118-seat multi-purpose stadium on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. It opened in 1936 with a football game between the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary's Norfolk Division (which is now Old Dominion University).[5] It is currently being used to house Old Dominion Monarchs football games, along with the Monarch Marching Band

History

Foreman Field Postcard (c. 1946)

The stadium was once the home of the Norfolk Division of William & Mary (now Old Dominion University) football program from 1936 until its 1941 demise, and has undergone remodeling for Old Dominion's new Monarchs college football team for its start in 2009.

Foreman Field served as the home stadium for the Norfolk State University football program (also located in Norfolk, VA) throughout the 1980s and 1990s until completion of Norfolk State's 30,000 seat William "Dick" Price Stadium in 1997.

Foreman Field hosted the annual Oyster Bowl game from 1946 to 1995, featuring major college football teams in its early decades. Syracuse defeated Navy there in 1959 on its way to winning the national championship. Future NFL stars Fran Tarkenton, Roger Staubach, and Don Meredith played in Oyster Bowl games. It was also the home of the minor pro Norfolk Neptunes in the 1960s and 1970s, and the Washington Redskins played several pre-season games there in the 1960s. Over the years Foreman Field was used for several high-profile concerts including Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's 1974 reunion tour, more than 33,000 people were in attendance.


The Virginia Ambassadors of the World Football League were to play their games at Foreman Field in 1974 before the franchise was sold and moved to Orlando. The Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League almost moved there for the 1996 season before the franchise folded.[6] The United Football League's Virginia Destroyers likewise considered Foreman Field as a potential location before instead choosing the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. A drawing of Foreman Field is featured in the John Grisham novel Bleachers.

Renovations

Main article: Old Dominion Monarchs football

The stadium underwent a $24.8 million renovation in preparation for the start of the 2009 I-AA season.[7] In July 2009, the stadium was renamed Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, in honor of a local contractor, who donated more than $2.5 million for the stadium.[8] On September 5, 2009, the first ODU football game was held at Foreman Field. Old Dominion defeated Chowan University 36–21.[9]

In 2016, Populous did an expansion study and recommended that Foreman Field be torn down and rebuilt because the existing structure could not be updated to meet modern building codes. Old Dominion University endorsed the study findings and the plan to renovate the stadium was approved by the Virginia General Assembly in 2017. Phase I of the stadium renovation will be completed between the 2018 and 2019 football seasons. The capacity after the completion of Phase I will 22,130. The capacity after Phase II will be over 30,000.[10]

Old Dominion played their final game in Foreman Field's original form on November 17, 2018 against Virginia Military Institute. Demolition of the old grandstands began on November 19, 2018, and a $67.5 million reconstruction is expected to be completed in time for Old Dominion's 2019 season.[11]

Gallery

  • CSNY Norfolk Virginia Aug 27 1974 at Foreman Field
    CSNY Norfolk Virginia Aug 27 1974 at Foreman Field

See also

References

  1. ^ "Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium". stadiumdb.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  2. ^ ODU Sports Report on Opening Game of 2011 Season
  3. ^ a b Minium, Harry (May 11, 2009). "What's in a Name". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  4. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  5. ^ Foreman Field Stadium - Pages from Norfolk's Past
  6. ^ Miller, Skip (29 October 1995). "CFL Team Leaving Troubles Behind To Court Norfolk". Daily Press. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  7. ^ Radford, Rich (September 26, 2007). "ODU Plans $24.8 Million Renovation of Foreman Field". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  8. ^ ODU stadium to bear name of contractor, $2.5M benefactor
  9. ^ O'Dell, Larry (September 5, 2009). "Old Dominion Beats Chowan 36-21". Associated Press. Retrieved September 6, 2009.
  10. ^ Minium, Harry (9 June 2016). "ODU proposes 22,130-seat football stadium to be built without new student fees". Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  11. ^ Winkler, Adam. "Old Dominion University begins demolition of Foreman Field". WTKR-TV. Retrieved December 3, 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Foreman Field.
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