Alumni Stadium Seating Capacity: A History of Expansion and Renovation
Alumni Stadium, the home of the Boston College Eagles football team, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. From its humble beginnings as Alumni Field to its current configuration as a modern stadium, it has undergone several transformations to meet the evolving needs of the university and its fans. This article explores the seating capacity history of Alumni Stadium, highlighting key milestones and renovations that have shaped its current form.
The Genesis of Alumni Field
Before Alumni Stadium, Boston College's athletic field was located south of Gasson Quadrangle, on the site of the present "Campus Green," better known as the "Dustbowl." This area was intensely used not only as a gridiron, but a practice field, a baseball diamond and a running track. Formally dedicated "as a memorial to the boys that were" on October 30, 1915, Alumni Field and its distinctive "maroon goal-posts on a field of green" were hailed in that evening's edition of the Boston Saturday Evening Transcript as "one of the sights in Boston."
The original grandstands, which could accommodate 2,200 spectators in 1915, were enlarged over the subsequent years such that a 1941 concert band drew a record crowd of 25,000. By the 1950s, the need for a new stadium for the football program was apparent. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the Eagles played some of their home games at Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox (MLB) and Braves Field, home of the Braves (MLB).
The Inauguration of Alumni Stadium
On September 21, 1957, Alumni Stadium opened on Boston College's lower campus. The new stadium incorporated a football field encircled by a regulation track with a seating capacity of 26,000. The opening game, against the Naval Academy, was orchestrated with the help of BC benefactor and then-Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy. Kennedy, who had received his honorary degree at Commencement Exercises in Alumni Field the previous year, would return to Alumni Stadium on a number of occasions over the course of his political career, including a 1963 Convocation Address, one of his last public appearances.
Early Years and Limited Changes
For over three decades there were few changes to the stadium. In addition to being the permanent home of the Boston College football team, Alumni Stadium hosted the Boston Patriots of the American Football League during the 1969 season.
Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
The 1994 Renovation: A Major Transformation
The first and only major renovation to the stadium was completed prior to the 1994 football season. ARC USA used a combination of renovations and additions to transform BC's Alumni Stadium into a first class Division 1-A facility. The stadium underwent a major renovation before the 1994 season which eliminated the track and increased seating capacity to 44,500. Nearly 20,000 seats from the lower deck, along with the running track were removed from the stadium. A new lower grandstand was constructed under the remaining upper decks on the east and west sides. In addition, 24 luxury suites were added to Alumni Stadium.
Sited between the indoor basketball court/ ice rink and a parking garage, the new stadium was designed within the same footprint as its predecessor but with 12,500 additional seats, for a total capacity of 44,500. The lower bleacher seats and the track that encircled the football field were removed. Sideline bleachers were constructed and two-tier structures with VIP boxes were added at each end-zone.
Modernization and Enhancements
Since 1998, a 65-foot (20Êm)-high bubble of inflatable vinyl has covered the stadium from December to March and allowed the field to be used as a winter practice facility. The field surface itself was converted to FieldTurf before the 2004 season. Today, the stadium has a capacity of 44,500, with the main lower grandstand enclosing the entire field. Upper decks are located on all four sides of the stadium. Alumni Stadium has new video/scoreboards, lighting and concession areas.
Attendance and Memorable Moments
As the home of the Boston College Eagles, Alumni Stadium has been the site of numerous notable moments in Boston College football history. After the 1995 renovations, the Eagles actually sold out the first 10 games of the 1995 and 1996 season. That streak was snapped by Temple, who drew just 42,463 in the 1996 home finale.
The 13,309 listed attendance for the 1997 Army game was the all-time low for the 44.5k seat Alumni Stadium.
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Several programs have helped BC sell out Alumni Stadium more than once from 1996-2010:
- Notre Dame -- 6 (2010)
- Virginia Tech -- 4 (2006)
- Miami -- 4 (2007)
- Syracuse -- 3 (2004)
In addition to those four programs, these programs have all played in front of a sold-out Alumni Stadium crowd: Army, Clemson, Connecticut, Florida State, Maryland, Michigan, Navy, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and West Virginia.
Alumni Stadium and Boston College Today
Alumni Stadium has hosted numerous intellectual and cultural luminaries, religious leaders and heads of state as the venue for Boston College's annual Commencement Exercises since 1957.
Boston College has been able to utilize the knowledge and the 3D laser scan technology. Existing Conditions has helped them scan millions of square feet of their projects to create precise 2D CAD drawings for building renovations and ongoing facilities management. Existing Conditions has collaborated on many projects with Boston College, including Alumni Stadium, academic buildings, dormitories, and religious structures on campus.
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
tags: #Alumni #Stadium #seating #capacity #history
