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. Memorial Stadium’s rich heritage has not hindered its evolution, a neverending 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. Using bond money and generous contributions, the stadium has recently undergone a number of changes. The most major of those was a $65 million venture that added 8,000 seats, including 27 suites, on the east side. Work was completed in the summer of 2003.
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.
At the same time, the press box was remodeled and outfitted with several state of the art features. Another phase of that project stretched into 2004 when renovations to the Santee Lounge, restroom and concessions facilities and a new brick facade on the west side were completed.
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.
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.
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.
An additional 27 suites in the new east upper deck opened in time for the 2004 season bringing the total number of suites to 63.
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.
MEMORIAL STADIUM
7 NATI ONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
41 CO NF ERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
24 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIPS
144 ALL-A MERICANS
6 4 NAT IONAL AWARD WINNERS
OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL STADIUM
206 2008 OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL GUIDE
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