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 will also host 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 Football Championship Subdivision 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 2008-2009 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.

In 2024, Rhode Island FC of the USL Championship will play their inaugural season at Beirne Stadium while completing construction of their stadium at Tidewater Landing. [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

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The 2021–22 Bryant Bulldogs men's basketball team represented Bryant University in the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bulldogs, led by fourth-year head coach Jared Grasso, played their home games at the Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, Rhode Island as members of the Northeast Conference. They finished the season 22–10, 16–2 in NEC play to win the regular season championship. They defeated Central Connecticut, Mount St. Mary's, and Wagner to win the NEC tournament championship. As a result, the Bulldogs received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the school's first-ever trip to the tournament, where they lost to Wright State in the First Four.

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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 played games at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

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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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