Stagg Memorial Stadium

This article is about the former football stadium at the University of the Pacific. For the football field at the University of Chicago, see Stagg Field. For the field at Springfield College, see Stagg Field (Springfield College).

Stagg Memorial Stadium

View of the stadium in 1961
Stockton Location in the United States Show map of the United States Stockton Location in California Show map of California
Full name	Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium
Former names	Pacific Memorial Stadium (1950–1988)
Location	Stockton, California
Coordinates	37°58′41″N121°19′01″W / 37.978°N 121.317°W / 37.978; -121.317
Owner	University of the Pacific
Capacity	28,000
Surface	Natural grass
Scoreboard	Yes
Construction
Broke ground	May 1950
Opened	October 21, 1950
Closed	February 26, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-02-26)
Demolished	2014
Tenants
Pacific Tigers football (1950–1995) Pacific Tigers women's soccer (1995–2012)

Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium, previously known as Pacific Memorial Stadium, was a 28,000-seat outdoor multi-purpose stadium in the western United States, located on the campus of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. The home venue of the Pacific Tigers was constructed in 1950 for football and later hosted women's soccer; it was closed in 2012 and demolished two years later.

Construction

Pacific Memorial Stadium was built 74 years ago in 1950 after the successful fund drive which netted $165,000. Most of this money was through the sale of pre-ordered tickets (scrip), which were usable over a 10-year period. Construction began on the earth-filled structure in May 1950. Astonishingly, it was finished on time for the home opener (fifth game of the season) on October 21, ^[1] a build time of less than six months. The field's approximate alignment was north-northwest to south-southeast. It has been reported and researched the stadium was built on a former Yokuts village. These remains found were discovered in 1923 and raised concern for when the stadium was set to be demolished.

The stadium originally seated 35,975 with room for expansion to over 44,000, but renovations reduced the capacity to a configuration of 28,000. It was the venue for a 1997 friendly soccer match between Brazil and Honduras; notable striker Ronaldo scored six goals and Brazil won 8–2.

Upgrades

The Pacific Club, which was added to the east-side of the stadium in 1973, was donated by Alex Spanos at a cost of $250,000. It sat up to 300, featuring glass walls and a great view of the stadium. When not in use for sporting events, it also held many university functions and gatherings. The scoreboard in the north end zone was erected in 1982 at a cost of $140,000 and measured 35 by 17 feet (10.7 by 5.2 m).

Thanks to donations from athletic boosters, lighting power at the stadium was upgraded from 35 to 75 footcandles in August 1986.

Renaming

Pacific Memorial Stadium was officially renamed Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium on October 15, 1988, to honor Amos Alonzo Stagg (1862–1965). ^{[2] [3] [4]} He ended his head coaching career at "College of the Pacific" in 1946, and donated the land for the stadium to be built in 1950. Stagg is widely regarded as a pioneer in the development of sports, not only football but also basketball and baseball. ^[5]

Closure

On February 26, 2012, the university announced it would close Stagg Memorial Stadium to conduct a feasibility study to assess needed repairs, upgrades and changes required to make the facility meet modern standards in conjunction with a financial assessment to determine if the stadium could be repaired or if it should be replaced. ^[6]

Demolition

The university began removal of Stagg Memorial Stadium on February 24, 2014, to make room for new athletics facilities, including a dedicated tennis center with 12 courts and a clubhouse, and new fields for soccer and field hockey. ^[7] The first Pacific field hockey home game on the new turf field at University of the Pacific was played on September 12, 2014, versus the University at Albany. ^[8] The groundbreaking ceremony for the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center was held on October 17, 2014. ^[9]

Tenants

Main article: Pacific Tigers football

The stadium was home to the Pacific Tigers football program, beginning in 1950, until it was discontinued following the 1995 season. For many years it was also the home football field for nearby Stagg High School. The stadium was the sole home to the women's soccer team until its closure in 2012.

References

1. Sawyer, George (October 23, 1950). "COP stadium dedication has everything -- except Tiger win". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). p. 6.
2. "UOP to face San Jose: Stagg Stadium dedication". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). October 15, 1988. p. 20.
3. "Spartans sock UOP, 35-17". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). October 17, 1988. p. 17.
4. Kretzer, Dale (March 18, 1965). "Last whistle blows for famous coach". Lodi News Sentinel. (California). p. 1.
5. "...As long as 'football' is still called 'football'". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. March 18, 1965. p. 1D.
6. "Stagg Stadium to Close While University Conducts Feasiblity [sic] Study". Pacifictigers.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
7. "Stagg Stadium removal to begin; new Athletics facilities coming this fall". Pacific.edu. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
8. "Field Hockey first home game on new field". University of the Pacific. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
9. "Former Tiger Tennis ace helps celebrate new tennis complex". Pacific.edu. Retrieved 17 February 2015.