California Memorial Stadium

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California Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium

Location 210 Memorial Stadium
Berkeley, California 94720
Broke ground 1923
Opened 1923
Owner University of California, Berkeley
Operator University of California, Berkeley
Surface Momentum Turf
Construction cost $1.4 million USD
Architect John Galen Howard
Tenants
California Golden Bears (NCAA) (1923-Present)
Seats
73,347

California Memorial Stadium, commonly known as simply Memorial Stadium, is the current home venue for California Golden Bears football. It was opened in 1923, and currently seats 73,347 spectators and was designed to support American Gridiron Football.

The stadium was built with money raised from public contributions, as a memorial to Californians who lost their lives in World War I. The chair of the architectural committee was John Galen Howard, the University's chief architect, and his influence is evident in the stadium's neoclassical motif. In addition to its unique architecture, Memorial Stadium's position at the foot of the Berkeley hills provides top row spectators with panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and west side viewers with views of the Berkeley Hills and Wildcat Canyon. This has earned it a reputation as one of the most scenic venues in college football.

The stadium has no track, so the stands come right up to the football field. (The lowest central seating views on the West side can be blocked by the standing visiting team reserve members.) Currently the stadium sports a Momentum Turf surface, but has previously sported both AstroTurf and natural grass. The Momentum Turf surface allows football practices and less popular sports to be held on the field year-round. Previously, football practices would be held at Witter Rugby Field. The surface is also marked for international soccer, but this allows little reserve room beyond the official lines.

Memorial Stadium supporting columns diverging due to fault creep
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Memorial Stadium supporting columns diverging due to fault creep

The Hayward Fault passes under Memorial Stadium, where right-lateral strike-slip motion is shifting the northeast half of the building to the southwest at a rate of 1 cm/yr. Expansion joints have been placed in the walls of the stadium to maintain the integrity of the building. A 1998 seismic safety study at the Berkeley campus gave the stadium a "poor" rating (meaning that the building represents an "appreciable life hazard" in an earthquake), and estimated the cost of making the structure safe in an earthquake at $14 million. In February 2005, Chancellor Robert Birgeneau announced plans to renovate Memorial Stadium, improving the existing facilities while providing new ones for various university departments and programs. The first phase of those renovations took place during the spring and summer of 2006. Extensive seismic modifications will be required if life safety is to be addressed (see Hayward Fault Zone for possible solutions).

Traditionally, during most football games and especially during the Big Game against Stanford University, the hill overlooking the eastern side of the Stadium attracts spectators hoping to watch a game for free. The hill has become known as "Tightwad Hill" as a result.

[edit] External links

University of California, Berkeley
Athletics & traditions

Golden BearsBig GameCalifornia Memorial StadiumHaas PavilionOskiStanford AxeThe Play

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