Joe Aillet Stadium

Last updated
Joe Aillet Stadium
"The Joe"
Louisiana Tech Football Joe Aillet Stadium Suites Press Box.jpg
The press box and suites at Joe Aillet Stadium
Joe Aillet Stadium
Former namesLouisiana Tech Stadium (1968–1972)
Address1450 West Alabama Avenue
Location Ruston, LA 71272
Coordinates 32°31′55″N92°39′21″W / 32.532021°N 92.655899°W / 32.532021; -92.655899
Owner Louisiana Tech University
OperatorLouisiana Tech University
Capacity 23,000 (1968–1988)
30,600 (1989–2013)
27,717 (2014) [1]
28,019 (2015–2016)
28,562 (2017–present)
Record attendance28,714 (September 13, 1997 vs. Northeast Louisiana)
SurfaceGrass (1968–2005)
FieldTurf (2006–present)
OpenedSeptember 28, 1968
Tenants
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football (NCAA college football) (1968–present)
Lady Techster soccer team (2004–2008)

Joe Aillet Stadium (formerly Louisiana Tech Stadium) is a college football stadium in Ruston, Louisiana and the home field of the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs football team, which competes in Conference USA. The football stadium replaced the original Tech Stadium where the school's football program played its home games on campus until 1967.

Contents

Originally called Louisiana Tech Stadium, Joe Aillet Stadium opened in 1968 and was renamed for retired Louisiana Tech head football coach and athletic director Joe Aillet in 1972.

History

AdamMullinsFootballField.jpg

The stadium was built in 1968 with an original capacity of 23,318 as a replacement for the original "Tech Stadium" on the university's campus. The new football stadium was constructed on the northwest portion of the campus as part of a new athletic complex which included a 3,000-seat baseball stadium now known as J. C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park, 10 lighted tennis courts, and a track and field complex now known as the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex. [2]

The new stadium, opened as Louisiana Tech Stadium, hosted its first Louisiana Tech home football game on September 28, 1968, when quarterback Terry Bradshaw led the Bulldogs to a 35–7 victory over the East Carolina University Pirates.

After four seasons as Tech Stadium, the stadium was renamed Joe Aillet Stadium prior to the 1972 season in honor of Joe Aillet, the longtime head football coach and athletic director of Louisiana Tech who died on December 28, 1971. On November 11, 1972, the official dedication ceremonies of the newly renamed Joe Aillet Stadium were held during a home football game between Tech and Eastern Michigan.

The Charles Wyly Athletic Center was opened in 2001, located in the south endzone. This facility included multiple amenities for the student-athletes, as well as an exhibit of Louisiana Tech football history. In 2015 the Davison Athletics Complex was opened nearby, adding more amenities as well as an indoor viewing area for fans. In 2017 the press box and sky box on the home side were renovated, adding luxury suites and more media work areas. In 2023 the Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza was completed, which honors multiple Louisiana Tech athletes. The most recent additions are still ongoing, which include a new student-athlete success center to be located in the north endzone as well as a new videoboard.

Notable games and moments

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

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Features

Charles Wyly Athletic Center

Charles Wyly Athletic Center Louisiana Tech Football Joe Aillet Stadium Charles Wyly Athletic Center.jpg
Charles Wyly Athletic Center

The Charles Wyly Athletic Center is located at the southwest side of Joe Aillet Stadium adjacent to the Davison Athletics Complex and the field house. Construction of the Wyly Athletic Center began in 2000, and the facility opened in June 2001. The 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) facility houses the Dr. William Bundrick Sports Medicine Center, Dr. Guthrie Jarrell Conference Room, Louisiana Tech football museum, coaches offices, and team meeting rooms. The Bundrick Sports Medicine Center includes a Swimex therapeutic pool, cardiovascular equipment, physician's examination room, and staff offices. The museum was designed by Richard Smith of Murphy and Orr Exhibits and features Terry Bradshaw memorabilia, plaques for each Tech All-American, displays honoring Tech's top offensive and defensive players, a 100-year timeline of Bulldog football, a lighted wall collage of La. Tech legends, and other exhibits. The $2.5 million facility was privately funded by a $1 million gift from businessman Charles Wyly and contributions from physicians Dr. William Bundrick and Dr. Guthrie Jarrell. [19]

Davison Athletics Complex

Davison Athletics Complex Davison Athletics Complex.jpg
Davison Athletics Complex

The Davison Athletics Complex is located behind the south end zone of Joe Aillet Stadium. The three-story, 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2) facility features a weight room, locker room, players lounge, auditorium, coaches offices, position meeting rooms and the club level. The $22 million facility opened on September 4, 2015. [20] The project was led by Ruston-based contractor Lincoln Builders. [21]

Press Box and Suites

Press box and suites Tech Skybox.jpg
Press box and suites

The press box and suites are located above the bleachers on the home side of Joe Aillet Stadium. Originally built in 1968 and expanded in 1988, the sky box was renovated and replaced in time for the 2017 season. The first floor of the facility includes multiple luxury suites for fans; and the second floor includes room for coaches, broadcast members, and gameday officials. [22] Additional signage was added onto the front, in time for the 2023 season, which highlighted the program's 3 national championships and 3 retired jersey numbers.

Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza

Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza is a plaza located on the north side of Joe Aillet Stadium. The plaza recognizes the achievements of many notable Bulldogs and Lady Techsters, including statues of Terry Bradshaw, Fred Dean, Willie Roaf, Karl Malone, Kim Mulkey, and Teresa Weatherspoon. Groundbreaking commenced on April 22, 2023, and the statue unveiling occurred September 20 of the same year. [23]

Dawgzilla

Dawgzilla Louisiana Tech Football Joe Aillet Stadium Video Board.jpg
Dawgzilla

Dawgzilla is the name of the HD LED video display board and sound system located behind the north end zone of Joe Aillet Stadium. The video board was designed, manufactured, and installed by Daktronics during the summer of 2009. The HD-X video display measures 25 feet (7.6 m) high by 45 feet (14 m) wide with a 16-millimetre (0.63 in) pixel pitch. Two ribbon boards placed directly above and below the main video display each measure 4 feet (1.2 m) high by 45 feet (14 m) wide with 23-millimetre (0.91 in) pixel pitches. The total video display area measures 1,485 square feet (138.0 m2), which made Dawgzilla the largest video board in the Western Athletic Conference after its construction in 2009. Also installed atop the video display is a custom Sportsound sound system. The video board is mounted on a brick foundation constructed by Lincoln Builders and is flanked by artistic metal displays. The Dawgzilla project cost $2 million and was financed through a partnership with Learfield Sports and Community Trust Bank. The board will soon be replaced by the Center for Student-Athlete Success, with a new video board being placed above.

Other uses

In 1985 Louisiana Tech hosted the New Orleans Saints training camp. [24]

On October 14, 2005 Tulane used the stadium for their game against UTEP. Tulane's football team was displaced after their home stadium, the Louisiana Superdome, was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 and had to play all their football games on the road that season.

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techster soccer team originally used Joe Aillet Stadium as its home facility upon the program's inception in 2004. The first Lady Techster soccer game in the stadium was on August 28, 2005, a 2–0 win over the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. In 2009, the Lady Techsters soccer team moved to their new home field located across the street from the stadium. [25]

Future

In 2021, a multi-phase project was announced to upgrade and expand the stadium, including a Champions Plaza adjacent to Stadium Drive on the north side of the stadium and a ribbon board added to the facade of the Davison Athletics Complex on the south end. Most notably, the plans also include the construction of a new 22,300-square foot student-athlete access center to be located at the north end of the stadium. This also includes a new video board above the new center. These plans are all expected to be finished within the next 5 to 10 years. [26]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Aillet</span> American football coach (1904–1971)

Joseph Roguet Aillet was an American football and basketball coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University from 1940 to 1966, compiling a record of 151–86–8. Additionally, under Aillet, the Bulldogs won nine conference championships. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Joe Aillet Stadium, the home of the Louisiana Tech football team, was dedicated in Aillet's honor in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Lady Techsters</span> Collegiate sports club in the United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football</span> College football organization

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represents Louisiana Tech University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. After 12 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, Louisiana Tech began competing as a member of Conference USA in 2013. Since 1968, the Bulldogs have played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium. Since its first season in 1901, Louisiana Tech has compiled an all-time record of 640 wins, 496 losses, and 37 ties. In 123 football seasons, the Bulldogs have won 3 Division II national championships, won 25 conference championships, and played in 28 postseason games, including 13 major college bowl games. The Bulldogs are currently coached by Sonny Cumbie.

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The 2008 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Derek Dooley, the Bulldogs played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana. Dooley's Bulldogs entered the season after finishing 5–7 in 2007. Louisiana Tech kicked off the season with a victory over Mississippi State, finished tied for second place in the WAC, and capped off the year with an Independence Bowl victory over Northern Illinois.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2011 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University as a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Sonny Dykes, the Bulldogs played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech finished the regular season with an 8–4 overall record and a 6–1 mark in conference play to win the WAC title. The Bulldogs lost the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego against the TCU Horned Frogs, the champions of the Mountain West Conference.

The 1959 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute as a member of the Gulf States Conference during the 1959 NCAA College Division football season. In their nineteenth year under head coach Joe Aillet, the team compiled a 9–1 record and finished as Gulf States Conference champion.

The 1961 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute as a member of the Gulf States Conference during the 1961 NCAA College Division football season. In their twenty-first year under head coach Joe Aillet, the team compiled a 5–4 record.

The 1966 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute as a member of the Gulf States Conference during the 1966 NCAA College Division football season. In their twenty-sixth year under head coach Joe Aillet, the team compiled a 1–9 record.

The 1973 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University during the 1973 NCAA Division II football season, and completed the 71st season of Bulldogs football and their first as members of the reorganized NCAA Division II. The Bulldogs played their home games in at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana. The 1973 team came off an undefeated 12–0 record, and a College Division National Championship from the prior season. The 1973 team was led by coach Maxie Lambright. The team finished the regular season with a 9–1 record and made the inaugural NCAA Division II playoffs. They made the first NCAA Division II Football Championship Game with a 38–34 win over Boise State in the Pioneer Bowl. The Bulldogs defeated the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 34–0 in the Camellia Bowl National Championship Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2013 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs were led by first-year head coach Skip Holtz as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) in the West Division. The Dawgs played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana. This was the Bulldogs inaugural season as members of C-USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters soccer</span> American college soccer team

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters soccer team represents Louisiana Tech University in NCAA Division I college soccer. The team belongs to Conference USA (C-USA) and plays its home games at Robert Mack Caruthers Field. The Lady Techsters are currently led by Steve Voltz, who has been the head coach since 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2016 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at the Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by fourth-year head coach Skip Holtz. They finished the season 9–5, 6–2 in C-USA play to be champions of the West Division. They represented the West Division in the Conference USA Championship Game where they lost to WKU. They were invited to the Armed Forces Bowl where they defeated Navy. The Louisiana Tech offense became the first team in NCAA Division 1 history to have a QB pass for 4,500+ yards, a RB rush for 1,000+ yards and two WRs with 1,500+ receiving yards all in a single season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at the Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by sixth-year head coach Skip Holtz. They finished the season 8–5, 5–3 in C-USA play to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Hawaii Bowl where they defeated Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by seventh-year head coach Skip Holtz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by eighth-year head coach Skip Holtz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). They were led by ninth-year head coach Skip Holtz.

References

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  19. "Wyly". The News-Star. 10 August 2011. p. 10.
  20. "Davison Athletics Complex Officially Opens with Ribbon Cutting". 4 September 2015.
  21. "Davison Athletics Complex".
  22. "Joe Aillet Stadium Press Box/Suites".
  23. "Groundbreaking Set for Champions Plaza". 10 April 2023.
  24. "Comfortable, yet unclear: Saints future at the Greenbrier still in question". 17 August 2016.
  25. "Lady Techster Soccer Complex". Louisiana Tech Athletics. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  26. "@LATechSports Announces North Endzone Facility Plan". November 19, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2022.