Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium
nickname =


location = S Florence & E 8th
Tulsa, OK 74104
broke_ground = May 11, 1930
opened = October 4, 1930
closed =
demolished =
owner = University of Tulsa
operator = University of Tulsa
surface = FieldTurf
construction_cost = $275,000 (approximate, original)
architect =
former_names = Skelly Field (1930-1947)
Skelly Stadium (1947-2007
seating_capacity = 35,542
tenants = Tulsa Golden Hurricane (football)
Oklahoma Outlaws (USFL) (part of 1984 season)
Tulsa Roughnecks (NASL) (1978-1984)

Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium (often shortened to Chapman Stadium) is an American 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 35,542.

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.cite web | url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=070426_238_B1_spanc42637 | title=Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium | accessdate=2007-10-21]

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. The new seating capacity is 35,542.

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.

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

On April 26, 2007 it was reported that, with a renovation project underway, the stadium will be known as Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium after the primary benefactor of the renovation.cite news | title=TU's stadium changes titles, but Skelly name not forgotten | author=Eric Bailey | publisher=Tulsa World | date=April 26, 2007]

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

Renovation

The stadium is due for a renovation following the end of the 2007 football season. The project will include 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 will drop to approximately 31,000, which will make Chapman Stadium the smallest stadium in Conference USA. The renovation is expected to be complete in time for the 2008 season.

References

External links

* [http://tulsahurricane.cstv.com/facilities/tuls-skelly-stadium.html Skelly Stadium from TulsaHurricane.com]
* [http://tulsahurricane.cstv.com/facilities/tuls-chapman-renovation.html Stadium Renovation Page]