Bulldog Stadium

For Bryant University's Bulldog Stadium, see Bulldog Stadium (Bryant University).
Bulldog Stadium
The Doghouse

October 2012
Location Bulldog Lane
Fresno, California
Coordinates 36°48′50″N 119°45′29″W / 36.814°N 119.758°W / 36.814; -119.758Coordinates: 36°48′50″N 119°45′29″W / 36.814°N 119.758°W / 36.814; -119.758
Owner California State University, Fresno
Operator California State University, Fresno
Executive suites 22
Capacity 43,560 (1999–present)
40,953 (1992–1993)
30,000 (1981–1990)
Record attendance 48,462
Surface FieldTurf (2011–present)
Grass (1980–2010)
Construction
Broke ground June 1979
Opened 1980,[1] 36 years ago
Expanded 1991
Construction cost $7 million
Architect Stevens and Associates
Tenants
Fresno State Bulldogs (NCAA)
(1980–present)
California Bowl (NCAA) (1981–1991)

Bulldog Stadium at Jim Sweeney Field is an outdoor football stadium in the western United States, located on the campus of California State University, Fresno in Fresno, California. It is the home field of the Fresno State Bulldogs of the Mountain West Conference.

Opened 36 years ago in 1980 with a capacity of 30,000 and has a current seating capacity of 41,031. It hosted the California Bowl from 1981 to 1991 and friendly matches prior to the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The playing field was natural grass until 2011 when FieldTurf was installed; it sits at an elevation of 335 feet (102 m) above sea level. It is named for longtime head coach Jim Sweeney (1929–2013).

For Fresno State football games, both end zones are designed in a red and white checkerboard pattern in a style similar to the end zones in The University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium. Fresno State's Bulldog mascot is depicted at midfield in an enlarged style. The field was also notable for having numerical markers every five yards (similar to the field at Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium) rather than every ten yards, as is typical. The field went back to the normal 10 yard markings in 2009.

Bulldog Stadium enjoys a reputation of having one of the premiere home football environments among universities outside of the so-called "power conferences". Tailgate parties in the adjoining parking lots and athletic fields are an enormously popular pastime for Bulldog supporters and the fans are notable for their enthusiastic support within the stadium's environment. For several decades, supporters of Fresno State football have been nicknamed "The Red Wave" as a tribute to their swell of support and their tendency to be clad entirely in red clothing for home contests. For most of Fresno State's history, Bulldog Stadium is at its loudest when Fresno State plays their traditional arch-rival, the San Jose State Spartans. However, in recent years, Fresno State's most bitterly contested games have been pitted against the Boise State Broncos, whose success in the Western Athletic Conference generally and against Fresno State in particular has contributed to a fierce and energetic modern rivalry.

Bulldog Stadium is constructed in a modern version of the sunken "bowl" style, with seats situated unusually close to the game action and at a steeper slope compared to bowled stadia of the early 20th century. This intimate atmosphere contributes to a louder, more intense gametime experience.

The athletic department is currently in the process of fundraising for stadium renovations to be concluded prior to the 2019 season which will include:

Conversion to FieldTurf

FieldTurf was installed in July 2011 replacing the stadium's natural grass playing surface. The $1.2 million project was funded entirely through private donations.[2][3][4]

Currently Bulldog Stadium ranks 110th on the List of American football stadiums by capacity.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.worldofstadiums.com/north-america/united-states/california/bulldog-stadium/
  2. ↑ go bulldogs.com - Bulldog Stadium Gets Makeover - 2011-06-03
  3. ↑ Fresno Bee.com - Bulldogs football stadium gets FieldTurf - 2011-07-19
  4. ↑ "Fresno State rolls out new turf". abc30. July 19, 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2012.

Further reading

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