Beirne Stadium

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Beirne Stadium
Bryantvwestchester.jpg
Beirne Stadium
Former namesBulldog Stadium (1999–2016)
Location Smithfield, Rhode Island
Coordinates 41°55′27.44″N71°32′18.87″W / 41.9242889°N 71.5385750°W / 41.9242889; -71.5385750
Owner Bryant University
Operator Bryant University
Capacity 4,400
SurfaceArtificial Turf
Construction
Broke ground1998
OpenedSeptember 1998
Tenants
Bryant Bulldogs (NCAA) (1999–present)
Rhode Island FC (USLC) (2024)

Beirne Stadium is a stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island. [1] It is the home stadium for the Bryant University college football and men's and women's lacrosse programs. Beirne Stadium also hosts USL Championship club Rhode Island FC during their inaugural 2024 season. The stadium holds 4,400 people and was built in 1999. It was renamed from Bulldog Stadium on September 24, 2016. It has also hosted numerous events for Rhode Island high school state championships.

Contents

The centerpiece of Bryant University's athletic facilities, Beirne Stadium opened in 1999 as Bulldog Stadium to coincide with the varsity debut of Bryant football. On September 24, 2016, it was renamed as part of the David M. '85 and Terry Beirne Stadium Complex.

The facility received upgrades for the 2018 season that include a new FieldTurf playing surface and permanent lighting banks, making Beirne Stadium the first of the three NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) stadiums in Rhode Island with permanent lights. The Bryant men's and women's lacrosse programs moved full-time from the Bryant Track & Turf Complex to Beirne Stadium for the 2019 season.

With a seating capacity of 4,400, Beirne Stadium utilizes a design that is usually reserved for larger stadiums, ensuring excellent sight lines and maximum comfort for spectators. [2] A 3,200-seat permanent bleacher comprises the backdrop for the home side of the field, while 1,200 additional seats are available on the visitor's side. Three hundred seats in the stadium are equipped with backs and arm rests. The stadium also has its own athletic training center, office space and public rest rooms.

In 2007, the Bulldogs hosted their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II National Football Championship versus West Chester. In the 2008–09 school year Bryant University Athletics became a Division I sports program. They belong to the America East for most sports, as well as the Big South for football, and Southland Conference for golf and tennis as of the 2022-23 school year.

Rhode Island FC of the USL Championship play their inaugural 2024 season at Beirne Stadium as construction of their stadium at Tidewater Landing is still ongoing. [3] On December 14, 2023, RIFC announced that they had added an additional 250 seats to the East Side Field Seats and the West Bleachers, bringing the total match-day capacity to 5,252, with an additional statement that that club had season ticket members representing all 39 of Rhode Island’s cities and towns. [4]

Attendance records

RankAttendanceDateGame Result
18,364October 17, 2015Bryant 38, Duquesne 17
27,532September 23, 2017Bryant 45, Fordham 40
36,432September 2, 2017Bryant 49, Merrimack 41
45,908October 24, 2015Bryant 26, Saint Francis 24
55,630October 18, 2008Bryant 20, Robert Morris 7
65,530September 13, 2008Bryant 20, Merrimack 7
75,434October 13, 200725 Bryant 34, Stonehill 6
85,252March 16, 2024RIFC 1, New Mexico United 1
95,234November 18, 200625 Bryant 29, 25 West Chester
105,113September 4, 2010Bryant 44, Fordham 30
115,104November 1, 2008Bryant 24, Duquesne 10
124,969September 1, 2018Bryant 41, New Haven 31
134,890October 25, 2014Bryant 42, Robert Morris 9
144,854September 16, 2006Bryant 34, Merrimack 7
154,823September 23, 2000Bryant 49, Assumption 13
164,820September 24, 2005Bryant 20, Pace 19
174,817August 31, 2013Bryant 17, Holy Cross 16
184,817October 2, 1999Bryant 31, Mount Ida 20
194,748November 10, 2007Bryant 29, Bentley 3
204,622October 20, 2001Bryant 31, UMass Lowell 16

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryant Bulldogs</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Bryant University

The Bryant Bulldogs are the athletic teams representing Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. As of July 1, 2022, the Bulldogs compete in most National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I sports as members of the America East Conference (AmEast). The move to the AmEast followed a 14-year tenure in the Northeast Conference (NEC), which it joined in 2008 when it began a transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. Bryant's largest rivalry during its Division II years was Bentley College, both founders of the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10) and both have prominent business programs. Bryant University athletics started out as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) before it transitioned into Division II. Bryant competed in the NE-10 from the conference's founding in 1980 until 2008 when the university began the transition to Division I. In 2012, Bryant became a full Division I member.

The Bryant Bulldogs football program represents Bryant University in college football. As of the upcoming 2024 season, the Bulldogs will be members of CAA Football, an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) league operated by, but legally separate from, the multi-sports Coastal Athletic Association. Bryant had played the 2023 season in the Big South–OVC Football Association formed in that season as a football-only alliance, also operating at the FCS level, between the Big South Conference and Ohio Valley Conference. The team has played its home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island, which opened in 1999 as Bulldog Stadium and received its current name in 2016.

The 2009 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Marty Fine, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 5–6 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2011 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Marty Fine, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, placing third in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2012 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by ninth-year head coach Marty Fine, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 4–7 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The Bryant Bulldogs men's lacrosse team represents Bryant University in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I lacrosse. As of the upcoming 2023 season, the Bulldogs will compete in the America East Conference (AmEast), which Bryant will officially join on July 1, 2022. Bryant plays its home games at Beirne Stadium on its campus in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2013 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by tenth-year head coach Marty Fine, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 5–7 with a mark of 3–3 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2014 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by 11th-year head coach Marty Fine, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 8–3 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, placing third in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2015 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by 12th-year head coach Marty Fine, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 5–6 with a mark of 3–3 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2016 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by Marty Fine in his 13th and final season as head coach, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 5–6 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, tying for third place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The stadium was renamed from "Bulldog Stadium" on September 25.

The 2017 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by first-year head coach James Perry, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 6–5 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2018 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led James Perry in his second and final season as head coach, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 6–5 with a mark of 2–4 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2019 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by first-year head coach Chris Merritt, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 4–8 with a mark of 3–4 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2020 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by second-year head coach Chris Merritt, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 2–2 with an identical mark in conference play, tying for third place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2010 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2010 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Marty Fine, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2021 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by third-year head coach Chris Merritt, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 5–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the NEC. Bryant played home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2022 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a first-year member of the Big South Conference in the 2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Chris Merritt, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 4–7 with a mark of 2–3 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie for third in the Big South. Bryant played home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhode Island FC</span> Professional mens soccer team

Rhode Island FC is an American professional soccer club headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The team plays in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship.

The 2023 Bryant Bulldogs football team represented Bryant University as a member of the Big South–OVC Football Association during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Chris Merritt, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 6–5 with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, tying for third place in the Big South–OVC. The Bulldogs played games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The 2024 Bryant Bulldogs football team will represent Bryant University as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Bulldogs will be led by sixth-year head coach Chris Merritt and play their home games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

References

  1. ↑ "Bulldog Stadium, Smithfield, R.I." bryantbulldogs.com. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  2. ↑ Duff, Dale (September 13, 2014). "Bears Back To Work Vs Bryant". WEZQ . Bangor. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Rhode Island FC Announces Partnership with Bryant University for 2024 Season". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Rhode Island FC Adds 250 Seats to Beirne Stadium Set Up Ahead of 2024 Season". Rhodeislandfc.com. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
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