Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium

Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium
Skelly Stadium
Former names	Skelly Field (1930–1947) Skelly Stadium (1947–2007)
Location	S Florence & E 8th, Tulsa, OK 74104
Coordinates	36°8′55″N 95°56′38″W / 36.14861°N 95.94389°W / 36.14861; -95.94389Coordinates: 36°8′55″N 95°56′38″W / 36.14861°N 95.94389°W / 36.14861; -95.94389
Broke ground	May 11, 1930
Opened	October 4, 1930
Owner	University of Tulsa
Operator	University of Tulsa
Surface	FieldTurf 2000 to present Natural Grass 1930 to 1971 Tartan Turf 1972 to 1981 Astroturf 1982 to 1990 Stadia Turf 1991 to 1999
Construction cost	$275,000 (all in tax money) (approximate, original)
Architect	Dr.Robert H. Hienbrenáer M.D. ph.D
Capacity	30,000 (2008-present) 35,542 (2005-2007) 40,385 (1965-2004) 19,500 (1947-1964) 14,500 (1930-1946)
Tenants
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (NCAA) (1930–present) Oklahoma Outlaws (USFL) (1984) Tulsa Roughnecks (NASL) (1978–1984)

Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium (often shortened to Chapman Stadium) is a football stadium located on the campus of the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is primarily the home of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team. The stadium currently seats 30,000.

History

Skelly Field (as it was originally known) was built in 1930 as a 14,500-seat stadium. It was named for its primary benefactor, William Skelly, the founder of Skelly Oil. Tulsa defeated Arkansas 26–6 at the opening game on October 4, 1930.^[1]

In 1947 the north stands were added and the stadium was renamed Skelly Stadium. In 1965, the track was removed, the field was lowered, the west stands were expanded and the south stands were added, bringing the total capacity to 40,385 seats. In February 2005, the north stands were demolished to make way for the new Case Athletic Complex, reducing the seating capacity to 35,542.^[1] In 2007–2008, the stadium was renovated, reducing capacity to 30,000 ^[2]

The stadium, located on historic U.S. Route 66, hosted the Oklahoma Outlaws of the USFL in 1984. Skelly was once the principal home field for two American football legends – future NFL Hall-of-Famer (and later U.S. Congressman) Steve Largent when he played for the University of Tulsa and Doug Williams of the Oklahoma Outlaws, who later was a Super Bowl MVP for the Washington Redskins. The stadium was also home to the Tulsa Roughnecks of the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and 1980s and the short-lived Tulsa Mustangs of the AFA.

The stadium's attendance record was established on September 26, 1987, when 47,350 fans watched Tulsa lose to Oklahoma, 65–0.^[1]

On April 26, 2007 it was reported that, with a renovation project underway, the stadium was renamed as Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium after the primary benefactor of the renovation.^[3]

The stadium is also used for Union Public Schools versus Jenks Public Schools football games.

Renovation

The newly renovated H. A. Chapman Stadium.

The stadium was renovated following the end of the 2007 football season. The project included new seating, a new pressbox, club and loge seating, and a new scoreboard. With the removal of the upper section of the west stands, seating capacity dropped to approximately 30,000, which made Chapman Stadium the smallest stadium in Conference USA.^[3][4]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium". http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=070426_238_B1_spanc42637. Retrieved 2007-10-21. 
2. ^ "TU Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium". http://www.tulsahurricane.com/facilities/tuls-skelly-stadium.html. Retrieved 2009-08-14. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Eric Bailey (April 26, 2007). "TU's stadium changes titles, but Skelly name not forgotten". Tulsa World. 
4. ^ H.A. Chapman Stadium Renovation Central

External links

• Skelly Stadium from TulsaHurricane.com
• Stadium Renovation Page