Waldo Stadium

Last updated

Waldo Stadium
Waldo Stadium, October 8, 2016.jpg
Panorama of Waldo Stadium, October 8, 2016
Relief map of USA Michigan.png
Red pog.svg
Waldo Stadium
Location in Michigan
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Waldo Stadium
Location in the United States
Former namesWestern State Teachers College Field
Location1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008
Coordinates 42°17′9″N85°36′4″W / 42.28583°N 85.60111°W / 42.28583; -85.60111
Owner Western Michigan University
OperatorWestern Michigan University
Capacity 30,200 (1989–present)
25,000 (1973–1988)
15,000 (1939–1972)
Record attendance36,361 (September 16, 2000 vs. Indiana State) [1]
Surface FieldTurf (2006–present)
NexTurf (2000–2005)
Prescription Athletic Turf (1992–1999)
Astroturf (1974–1991)
Natural grass (1939–1973)
Construction
Broke ground1938
OpenedOctober 7, 1939 [2]
Renovated1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015
Expanded1973, 1989
Construction cost US$250,000
($5.26 million in 2022 dollars [3] )
US$5.6 million
(2013–2015 renovation) [4]
Tenants
Western Michigan Broncos (NCAA) (1939–present)

Waldo Stadium is a stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is primarily used for football, and has been the home of Western Michigan University Broncos football in rudimentary form since 1914, and as a complete stadium since 1939. It currently has a capacity of 30,200 spectators.

Contents

History

The stadium was built at a cost of $250,000 ($4.3 million in 2016), and it opened in 1939 with a 6–0 win over Miami University. [5] The cost for Waldo Stadium also included the construction of Hyames Field, the school's baseball stadium directly west of the football field. The stadium is named for Dwight B. Waldo, first president of the school. [5]

The location of Waldo Stadium has been home for Western football since 1914. A field, without a stadium or modern seating, existed through 1938, until the construction and completion of the stadium in 1939. It originally included an eight-lane track, which has since moved to Kanley Track across Stadium Drive. Financing came through private donations, and those who donated were awarded tickets to the inaugural game against Western Kentucky University. Over the years, WMU continued adding seating to the stadium. In 1973 the capacity was increased to 25,000, and AstroTurf replaced the natural grass field. [6] A renovation in 1989 pushed the available seats to 30,200. [7] In 1993 permanent lighting was added, and in 1995 the University added 325 club seats to the press box. [6] In 1998 the Bill Brown Alumni Football Center was completed, which created new offices for staff, suites, and upgraded facilities for the team.

Flooding in Waldo Stadium on October 14, 2017. With the lowest elevation in Kalamazoo, runoff from Stadium Drive and the surrounding area flowed down through the tunnels onto the field. Note the water flow out of the visitors' tunnel on the opposite side of the field between two end zone pylons. Waldo Stadium Flooding.jpg
Flooding in Waldo Stadium on October 14, 2017. With the lowest elevation in Kalamazoo, runoff from Stadium Drive and the surrounding area flowed down through the tunnels onto the field. Note the water flow out of the visitors' tunnel on the opposite side of the field between two end zone pylons.

In 2013, the athletic department made almost $3.5 million in renovations and upgrades to Waldo Stadium and Seelye Center, the football team's indoor practice facility. Included in the upgrades were: new artificial turf for stadium, new brown and gold turf for the indoor practice facility, a revamped and upgraded weight room, a remodeled locker room, renovated meeting rooms, and a new team lounge and showplace. [9] Additional renovations were made to the stadium complex from 2014 to 2015 including new speakers for the stadium, new scoreboards and video boards bringing renovation costs to $5.7 million since 2013. A $2 million donation for the project was made by 1988 WMU alum Alec Gores. [10]

On October 14, 2017, the Bronco football team was slated to play Akron for homecoming, when rains from a fall storm combined with drainage system failures flooded the field and postponed the game. [11] Also contributing to the flood, Waldo Stadium is considered the lowest point in the city of Kalamazoo. [8] The game was played at 1pm the next day (A possible Sunday first for Waldo Stadium), and the Broncos were defeated by Akron 13-14. It was reported that over 1 million gallons of water were pumped off the field overnight to prepare the field for the Sunday game. [8]

Seelye Center

In 2003, the stadium took on a new look with the completion of the $25 million Donald J. Seelye Center, built by a local construction company, Kalleward Group. The Seelye Center rises eight stories and houses an indoor practice field, weight and fitness rooms, and staff offices. [5] [12] It is located on the edge of the northeast endzone, allowing the Seelye club suites to get a view of the game. The Seelye Center incorporated the existing Oakland Gymnasium into the structure, allowing for a very modern entrance on one side, and a retro style on the other.

Home field records

WMU Bronco Football Waldo Stadium Records Since 2000

YearWinLossAvg. attendance
200050
200141
200224
200333
200414
20055118,906 [13]
200650
200724
200850
20093220,330 [13]
20103314,678 [13]
20115019,985 [13]
20123314,579 [13]
20130517,347 [14]
20143215,625 [14]
20154219,441 [14]
20166023,838
20174215,886 [15]
20183318,293 [16]
20196017,937 [17]
202021 Covid-19 restricted season
20214213,690 [18]
20222415,260 [19]
20233119,798 (through four games)
Total774418,070

High school football

In 1975, Waldo Stadium was one of the hosts for the inaugural MHSAA Football State Championship in Class A and Class D. Livonia Franklin beat Traverse City (now Traverse City Central) 21-7 in the Class A title game while Crystal Falls Forest Park defeated Flint Holy Rosary 50-0 in the Class D title game. [20] The finals for all classes were moved to the newly constructed Pontiac Silverdome beginning with the 1976 title games.

In May 2010, the Kalamazoo Valley Association (a local high school athletic conference) announced that it would be playing an inaugural Kalamazoo Valley Association Football Classic at the stadium. [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Michigan University</span> Public university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.

Western Michigan University is a public research university in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. It was initially established as Western State Normal School in 1903 by Governor Aaron T. Bliss for the training of teachers. It was renamed Western Michigan University in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huskie Stadium</span> Stadium in Illinois, U.S.A.

Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium is a college football stadium in the central United States, located on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. Opened 58 years ago in 1965, it is the home field of the NIU Huskies of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Harry W. Lawson Ice Arena and Gabel Natatorium is a 3,667-seat multi-purpose arena, and adjacent natatorium in Kalamazoo, Michigan, located on the far Southwest corner of Western Michigan University's main campus. The arena is a single-level, horseshoe-style arena with a concourse at the top. It is home to the Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team, the WMU men's ice hockey club team, and the WMU synchronized skating club team. The arena is named after Harry W. Lawson, the founder of the hockey program at Western Michigan University. The Gabel Natatorium contains an olympic size swimming pool, diving facility, and is home to the WMU Swimming and Diving Club team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyames Field</span>

Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field is a baseball stadium located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, on the campus of Western Michigan University. It opened in 1939, and serves as the home field for the Western Michigan Broncos baseball program. The stadium hosted the inaugural College World Series in 1947 and again in 1948.

University Arena is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. Located in Read Fieldhouse, the arena opened in 1957 and is home to multiple Western Michigan Broncos athletic teams, including men's and women's basketball, women's gymnastics, women's indoor track and field, and women's volleyball. The facility seats 5,421 people. Read Fieldhouse was named for Buck Read, WMU head men's basketball coach from 1922 to 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Michigan Broncos football</span> Sports program

The Western Michigan Broncos football program represents Western Michigan University in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Western Michigan has competed in football since 1906, when they played three games in their inaugural season. In 1927, WMU joined four other schools to form the Michigan Collegiate Conference. Western Michigan then moved to its present conference in 1948. Prior to 1939, Western Michigan's athletic teams were known as the Hilltoppers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Michigan Broncos</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Western Michigan University

The Western Michigan Broncos are a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program representing Western Michigan University (WMU) in college athletics. They compete in the Mid-American Conference in men's baseball, basketball, football, and tennis; and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. The men's ice hockey team competes in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and the men's soccer team competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Broncos also have a flight team, the SkyBroncos, who have won the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) National Championship award five times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Livingston</span> American football player (1945–2009)

Dale Roger Livingston was an American football kicker and punter who became the starting kicker/punter on the Cincinnati Bengals first-team in 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Campus (Western Michigan University)</span>

East Campus is a collection of buildings and facilities situated on the 60-acre (240,000 m2) hilltop campus that is the original site of Western Michigan University. It includes some of WMU's athletic facilities including Waldo Stadium, Hyames Field, Ebert Field and the Donald Seelye Athletic Center. The campus sits on the top of Prospect Hill, which overlooks the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 2007 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill Cubit and played their homes game in Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Broncos finished the season 5–7 overall and 3–4 in the Mid-American Conference. The highlight of the season was the 28–19 road victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that finished fifth in the Big Ten Conference .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2008 NCAA football season. The team was coached by Bill Cubit and played their homes game in Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Hiller</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Tim Hiller is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Western Michigan. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. After his playing days, Hiller worked as head football coach at Gull Lake High School in Richland, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009–10 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2009–10 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team was an NCAA Division I college basketball team representing Western Michigan University. The team was the two-time defending Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division champion. WMU was coached by Steve Hawkins who was in his seventh season as head coach of the school. The Broncos played their home games at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They finished the season 18–15, 8–8 in MAC play and lost in the semifinals of the 2010 MAC men's basketball tournament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 2012 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by eighth-year head coach Bill Cubit and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In 2011, the Broncos finished at 7–6, third place in the MAC West division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 2013 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In 2013, the Broncos finished at 1–11, and last place in the MAC West division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013–14 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2013–14 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) during the 2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Broncos were Mid-American Conference (MAC) overall and West Division co-champions with Toledo, received the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and defeated Toledo in the conference finals to receive the MAC's automatic berth into the 2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. WMU is led by 11th year head coach Steve Hawkins and play their home games at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–15 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2014–15 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) during the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Broncos, led by 12th year head coach Steve Hawkins, played their home games at University Arena as members of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They finished the season 20–14, 10–8 in MAC play to finish in third place in the West Division. They advanced to the second round of the MAC tournament where they lost to Akron. They were invited to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament where they lost in the first round to Cleveland State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 2016 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Broncos completed their regular season undefeated and won the MAC West Division title. The Broncos finished conference play defeating the Ohio Bobcats 29–23 in the 2016 MAC Championship Game, winning the school's first MAC championship title since 1988. WMU received an invitation to the 2017 Cotton Bowl as the highest rated Group of Five team in the College Football Playoff (CFP). It was the first major-bowl appearance in school history. The Broncos also won 10 games in a season for the first time in their 111-year football history. They lost to the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers in the New Years Six bowl game, 24–16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 2017 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Tim Lester and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos finished the season 6–6, 4–4 to finish in fourth place in the West Division. Despite being bowl eligible, the Broncos did not receive an invite to a bowl game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos played their home games at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and competed in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. The team was led by third-year head coach Tim Lester.

References

  1. ↑ "Waldo Stadium". Football.ballparks.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Western Michigan Broncos 1939 Season Schedule - databaseFootball.com/College". Databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  3. ↑ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Western Michigan football scoreboard project underway, expected to be finished by Michigan State game". MLive.com. June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Waldo Stadium - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". Wmubroncos.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Waldo Stadium - Facts, figures, pictures and more of the Western Michigan Broncos college football stadium". Collegegridirons.com. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  7. ↑ "2007 Western Michigan football media guide" (PDF). Western Michigan University. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 "WMU drains 1M gallons of water, loses to Akron". Detroit News. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Waldo Stadium Renovations". Mlive.com. 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Official Site of Western Michigan Athletics". www.wmubroncos.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Flooded field postpones WMU homecoming game to 1 p.m. Sunday". MLive.com. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Donald Seelye Athletic Center - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". Wmubroncos.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Western Michigan athletic director hopes a new football coach will help with attendance woes at Waldo Stadium". December 9, 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 "Western Michigan football had the third-best attendance in the MAC this season". December 16, 2015.
  15. ↑ "2017 Football Schedule".
  16. ↑ "2018 Football Schedule".
  17. ↑ "2021 Football Schedule".
  18. ↑ "2021 Football Schedule".
  19. ↑ "2022 Football Schedule".
  20. ↑ http://www.mhsaa.com/MHSAA_ARCHIVE/resources/library/fbflash95.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  21. ↑ Scott DeCamp (May 13, 2010). "Coaches, players filled with anticipation for inaugural KVA Football Classic - MLive.com". Highschoolsports.mlive.com. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.