Oklahoma Sooners

SoonerSports.com | Memorial Stadium

Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is one of America's most recognized college football cathedrals. Situated on the east side of the Norman campus, this historical facility is the largest sports arena in the state and, following its recent expansion, now ranks among the 15 largest on-campus facilities in the nation.
 
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
 Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

 
Memorial Stadium's rich heritage has not hindered its evolution, a never-ending growth fueled by the football program's overwhelming popularity. Almost since its inception, the stadium has been a work in progress.
 
That fact holds true today. The recent $75 million expansion and renovation of OU's football stadium transformed a towering concrete structure into a beautiful facility featuring the brick and cast stone that characterizes OU's historic campus.
 
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Seating Chart | Gate Info | Gameday Info & Parking
 
A clock tower on the north side of the stadium and expansive tree-lined plazas on the northwest, northeast and southeast corners of the stadium were special features of the new design. The project also included the addition of the Asp Avenue Parking Facility, a six-level parking structure located west of the stadium, and a war memorial to OU faculty, staff and students who gave their lives in the service of the country.

 Quick Facts  
 Official Capacity  82,112 (August 2004)
 Largest Crowd  85,313 - Nov. 12, 2006 vs. Texas Tech
 Owen Field  Natural Grass
 First Game  Oct. 20, 1923 vs. Washington, Mo.
 Record at Stadium  330-78-15 (.798) | 1923-2006
 Most Consecutive Wins  25, 1947-1952
 Street Address  180 W. Brooks, Norman, Okla.

The project added 8,000 seats, including 27 suites, on the east side for the 2003 season. At the same time, the press box was remodeled and outfitted with several state of the art features.
 
An additional 27 suites in the new east upper deck opened for the 2004 season bringing the total number of suites to 63 (54 east, nine west). Renovations to the Santee Lounge, restroom and concessions facilities and a new brick facade on the west side further enhanced Oklahoma Memorial Stadium's reputation as one of the finest venues in all of college football.
 
In the two years prior to the stadium upgrade and expansion, renovations were completed in the coaches' offices, locker rooms, sports medicine and weight training facilities.

STADIUM HISTORY
In 1921, University of Oklahoma students started a movement for construction of a student union. By 1925, the idea had grown to include a combined football stadium/student union. In the original architect's drawings, the north end of the proposed structure was strikingly similar to the present Oklahoma Memorial Union, which eventually was constructed separately when head coach Bennie Owen suggested it would be best to raise funds for a union and a stadium.
 
The first game played at the site took place Oct. 20,1923 (a 63-7 win over Washington, Mo.), before the stadium/union plan got under way. The field was named Owen Field after Owen, who became a charter member of the National Football Hall of Fame.
 
Season-by-Season Records | Attendance Records

In 1925, the first contest was played in front of the new stands on the west side of the field. The 16,000-seat Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, named in honor of University personnel who died in World War I, was erected at a cost of approximately $293,000.
 
Stands on the east side of the stadium were added prior to the 1929 season. That addition increased the seating capacity to 32,000, where it stood for 20 years. In 1949, OU president George L. Cross pushed for expansion and the result was a six-foot lowering of the old playing surface and the elimination of a running track that surrounded the playing area. The changes produced 7,000 new ringside seats and brought capacity to 55,000. The north end of the stadium also was enclosed. In 1957, green grandstand bleachers were added to the south end of the field, enabling the stadium to hold 61,836 fans.
 
Eighteen years later came the addition of the upper deck and new press box. Another 8,436 seats were added at a cost of $5,726,345. Capacity for the 1975 National Championship season was 71,187. Before the 1980 season, the old green bleachers were replaced with the new south end zone facility. In addition to improved seating, the complex included coaches' offices, the weight room, meeting rooms, a training room, the equipment room and two locker rooms. The addition brought the stadium capacity to 75,004. Capacity was decreased to 72,765 prior to the 1998 season to provide more wheelchair seating.
 
In July, 1970 the original natural grass surface was removed and artificial turf was installed. That tartan turf was replaced with super turf before the 1981 season. Owen Field returned to grass in 1994.
 
A Stadium Master Plan was approved by the OU Board of Regents in June 1994. Construction of nine west side suites began in April 1995 and was completed that year. The suites are leased annually. Eight of the suites seat 12 and the President's suite seats 24.
 
Subsequent improvements included the installation of stadium lights to allow night games, a new scoreboard and a video screen.
 
The Barry Switzer Center, named after the former OU head football coach, opened in April 1999. That complex includes a sports medicine facility with the latest equipment and technology to better accommodate OU's student-athletes; the Robin Siegfried and Family Strength and Conditioning Facility, which will accommodate more than 400 athletes; new locker rooms; new coaches offices; the Anderson All-American Plaza and the OU Touchdown Club Legends Lobby. The Legends Lobby features some of OU's finest moments and most legendary figures.