Falcon Stadium

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Falcon Stadium
April 2002
April 2002
Location Stadium Blvd
USAFA, CO 80840
Broke ground 1962
Opened September 22, 1962
Owner United States Air Force
Operator U.S. Air Force Academy
Surface FieldTurf
Construction cost $3.2 Million
Tenants
Air Force Academy Falcons (NCAA) (1962-Present)
Capacity
52,480

Falcon Stadium is a stadium on the grounds of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the United States Air Force Academy Falcons. It also serves as the site for the Air Force Academy's graduation ceremonies each spring.

Falcon Stadium opened in 1962, at a cost of $3.5 million, and has a current attendance capacity of 52,480 people. It was dedicated on September 22, 1962, when Air Force defeated Colorado State University 24-0. Prior to its building, the team had played its home games at various sites across the state, including several in nearby Colorado Springs and Pueblo, as well as the University of Colorado's Folsom Field and the University of Denver's former football stadium.[1]

The stadium was built into a natural bowl located to the southeast of the center of the academic campus. The entire campus lies at the base of the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains, providing spectacular views around the stadium and campus. The design is uniquely unbalanced, with the western side having two large grandstand tiers above the main bowl and the eastern having a single tier bordered by seven separate sections of grandstands. FieldTurf was installed prior to the 2006 season, at a cost of $750,000 replacing the natural grass field. However, natural grass still remains around the FieldTurf. A new sound system was also installed for the 2006 season. The current video screen at the south end of the field was installed in 2004. Permanent lighting was installed in 2002 at a cost of $500,000.

Several years ago a very creative prank was played by the Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy prior to an Air Force - Navy Game that was played in the stadium. Several Midshipmen sneaked into the stadium and repainted the seats that spelled out "Air Force" to instead read "Air Farce".[citation needed]

[edit] References

  1. ^ MacCambridge, Michael, ed. ESPN College Football Encyclopedia. New York: Hyperion, 2005. Pg. 68.

[edit] External References

Coordinates: 38°59′49.4″N, 104°50′36.7″W


Current Football Stadiums in the Mountain West Conference
Amon G. Carter Stadium (TCU) • Falcon Stadium (Air Force) • Hughes Stadium (Colorado State) • LaVell Edwards Stadium (BYU) • Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego State) • Rice-Eccles Stadium (Utah) • Sam Boyd Stadium (UNLV) • University Stadium (New Mexico) • War Memorial Stadium (Wyoming)


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