Bobcat Stadium (Bozeman, Montana)

Infobox_Stadium | stadium_name = Bobcat Stadium
nickname =


location = Bozeman, Montana
broke_ground = 1973
opened = 1973, 1998
closed =
demolished =
owner = Montana State Univ.
operator = Montana State Univ.
surface = natural grass
construction_cost = $12.5 million (500K original + 12 million upgrade)
architect =
former_names = Reno H. Sales Stadium
tenants = Montana State Bobcats
seating_capacity = 13,500

Bobcat Stadium is an outdoor football stadium on the south end of the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. It is home to the Montana State Bobcats of the Big Sky Conference and currently seats 13,500. The football field runs in a NW-SE configuration with the press box along the southwest sideline. The playing field is natural grass and sits at an elevation of 4940 feet (1505 m) above sea level. [http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=11&Z=12&X=1240&Y=12641&W=3&qs=%7cBozeman%7cMT%7c]

The stadium opened in 1973 as Reno H. Sales Stadium and was built at the cost of about $500,000. Reno Sales was a member of the first Bobcat football team in 1897 and was the college's only graduate in 1898. Later in life he was an engineer and philanthropist. Originally from Salesville (now Gallatin Gateway), he was the chief geologist for Anaconda Copper for 41 years. During his 90 years, Mr. Sales was widely known as "Mr. Bobcat," and for his generosity and devotion to his alma mater. [http://www.montana.edu/campusmap/buildings/sales-stadium.html] [http://www.msubobcats.com/traditions.php] .

Prior to the 1998 season the stadium was renovated for about $12 million and renamed Bobcat Stadium. The facility was designed to accommodate further expansion in the southeast end zone.

The stadium's Martel Field is named after Bill Martel, the Bozeman contractor who was instrumental in the project's completion.

External links

* [http://www.msubobcats.com/facilities.php#stadium MSU Bobcats.com] - official athletics site - Bobcat Stadium
* [http://www.montana.edu/campusmap/buildings/sales-stadium.html Montana State University] - official site - Reno H. Sales stadium
* [http://www.montana.edu/brick/gallery/stadium/1/ Montana State University] - photo gallery - Bobcat Stadium
* [http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/montana/bozeman_bobcat.shtml World Stadiums.com] - Bobcat Stadium
* [http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=11&Z=12&X=1240&Y=12641&W=3&qs=%7cBozeman%7cMT%7c Terraserver.microsoft.com] - aerial photo (& USGS topo map) - MSU campus