Bulldog Stadium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bulldog Stadium | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Bulldog Ln Fresno, CA 93740 |
| Broke ground | 1980 |
| Opened | 1980 |
| Owner | California State University, Fresno |
| Operator | California State University, Fresno |
| Surface | Grass |
| Tenants | |
| Fresno State Bulldogs (NCAA) (1980-Present) | |
| Capacity | |
| 41,031 | |
Bulldog Stadium is a stadium in Fresno, California. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Fresno State Bulldogs. The stadium opened in 1980 and holds 41,031 people. It hosted the California Bowl from 1981 to 1991 and in 1994, it hosted international soccer matches
One of the most complete and aesthetically pleasing stadiums in the Western Athletic Conference, Bulldog Stadium has served as the home of Fresno State football since the 1980 season. Entering its 26th season of hosting the Bulldogs, the facility has established itself as one of the most difficult places for a visiting team to win.
Fresno State has gone 130-32-2 at Bulldog Stadium since 1980, for a winning percentage of over 80 percent. Even more impressive is the success of the team since 1999, during which time the Bulldogs have gone 43-8. Included in that record are victories over Oregon State (twice), Colorado State and California. Since Pat Hill took over as head coach in 1997, Fresno State is 51-11 (.823) at home.
Much of that success stems from an environment considered the noisiest in the Western Athletic Conference. With a capacity of 41,031, the stadium has been filled at near 100 percent capacity ever since record crowds began to pour into the facility in 2001. No other conference team has experienced this consistently high attendance.
Featuring a natural grass playing surface and a tree-lined concourse, Bulldog Stadium underwent a two-phase expansion project in 1991 which included the addition of more than 10,000 seats -- increasing the stadium's capacity from 30,000 to 41,031 -- and the construction of 22 sky suites. Additional restrooms and concession facilities were also constructed.
The first phase entailed filling in the panels beyond the north and south end zones with bench seating and the reconfiguration of seating on the stadium's east side. The second phase, completed prior to the 1892 season, featured the addition of 22 sky suites, each of which includes seating for 20, among other amenities.
The stadium expansion was a result of the overwhelming fan support the Bulldogs have enjoyed since the early 1980s. In the years just prior to expansion, Fresno State played before crowds well in excess of the official 30,000-seat capacity in 36 of 37 possible home dates. In 1993, one year after expansion was completed, the Bulldogs averaged 39,536 fans during their six home dates.
Original construction of Bulldog Stadium began in June of 1979 following what was then the most successful capital fundraising project ever undertaken in the San Joaquin Valley. Local residents raised in excess of $7 million for the project. No state tax dollars or student fees were used to build the stadium.
Built partially below ground level with the playing field 37 feet below grade, the bowl has a low profile appearance. A unique cantilevered lighting system extends toward the field and is directed downward to concentrate lighting on the playing surface.
Chair seating for more than 5,000 spectators is located on the west side of the stadium between the 18-yard lines to accommodate contributors of the $7 million.
The remaining seating, with the exception of the recent addition of 3,240 chairback seats on the east side, is on aluminum benches.
The construction of a new video board located at the north end of the stadium began in August 2006. There is an existing scoreboard located at the south end of the stadium. When completed in September the new video board will be one of the largest video screens in a collegiate venue on the West Coast at 24' x 32'.[1]
Fresno State defeated Montana State 21-14 on Nov. 15, 1980, in the first game played in the stadium. In 2000, the Bulldogs set a new single-season attendance record when they averaged 42,410 fans, the 22nd-best mark in the nation. The following season, in which Fresno State achieved a program-record national ranking of eight, was even better. The Bulldogs set a new record by averaging 42,802 fans, including stadium single-game records of 42,881 in each of the last five contests of that year.
Bulldog Stadium was also home to the California Raisin Bowl from 1981-91. Fresno State played in the game five times, winning the title on four occasions.
Contents |
[edit] Growing into the Future
Fresno State offers the finest in medical care. The recently renovated Duncan Training Room has state-of-the-art equipment and has a complete private doctor's evaluation office.
The Pride of the Valley Thanks to generous contributions from the community, the Valley Growers Practice Field rivals any NFL facility. With two lighted fields and a spacious covered outdoor weight room, the Bulldogs have the premier college practice facility on the West Coast.
[edit] Strength in Training
Fresno State's state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center is the newest and one of the largest weight complexes in the West. Able to accommodate more than 100 athletes at a time, it features 26 tons of custom steel weights, eight Olympic lifting platforms, a 40-yard plyometric track (including an electronic timing system), and several pieces of Kaiser pneumatic equipment used for high speed power training.
[edit] Academic Commitment
Fresno State's commitment to academic success is evident in the vast improvements being made on campus. The Ricchiuti Academic Center, completed in October 2004, is a $5 million facility that has assisted Bulldog student-athletes to achieve their academic goals. The RAC houses offices for the Student-Athletes Services staff, a computer lab, plus teaching and tutorial stations.
[edit] Fresno State's "Doghouse Dynasty"
1980 1-0 1.000
1981 2-3 .400
1982 8-0 1.000
1983 3-4 .429
1984 4-2 .667
1985 6-0-1 .929
1986 8-0 1.000
1987 5-1 .833
1988 6-0 1.000
1989 8-0 1.000
1990 6-0-1 .929
1991 6-1 .857
1992 5-1 .833
1993 6-0 1.000
1994 3-4 .429
1995 4-2 .667
1996 3-3 .500
1997 4-2 .667
1998 4-1 .800
1999 6-0 1.000
1999 5-0 1.000
2000 5-0 1.000
2001 5-1 .833
2002 5-1 .833
2003 5-1 .833
2004 4-1 .800
2005 5-1 .833
2006 3-3 .500
Total 130-32-2 .802
| Football Stadiums of the Western Athletic Conference |
|---|
| Aggie Memorial Stadium (New Mexico State) • Joe Aillet Stadium (Louisiana Tech) • Aloha Stadium (Hawaii) • Bronco Stadium (Boise State) • Bulldog Stadium (Fresno State) • Mackay Stadium (Nevada) • Kibbie Dome (Idaho) • Romney Stadium (Utah State) • Spartan Stadium (San José State) |
