Tulane Stadium

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Tulane Stadium
The Sugar Bowl

Location New Orleans, Louisiana (now demolished)
Broke ground N/A
Opened October 23, 1926
Closed August 3, 1975
Demolished 1980
Owner Tulane University
Operator Tulane University
Surface Grass; AstroTurf (1971-75)
Construction cost $295,968[1]
Architect Unknown
Former names
N/A
Tenants
New Orleans Saints (NFL) 19671974
Sugar Bowl (NCAA) 19351974
Tulane Green Wave (NCAA) 19261974
Capacity
80,985 Football

Tulane Stadium was an outdoor football stadium located in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1926 to 1980. Officially known as the Third Tulane Stadium, it replaced the "Second Tulane Stadium" where Telephone Exchange Building is now located [2]. It was bounded by Willow and Calhoun Streets, Audubon Boulevard, and North Claiborne Avenue.

The stadium was opened in 1926 with a seating capacity of roughly 35,000. Tulane Stadium was built on Tulane University's campus (before 1871, Tulane's campus was Paul Foucher's Plantation, where Foucher's father-in-law, Etienne de Bore, had first granulated sugar from cane syrup).

In 1935, the first Sugar Bowl was played in Tulane Stadium. The term "Sugar Bowl" had been coined by Fred Digby, sports editor of the New Orleans Item, who had been pushing for an annual New Year's Day football game since 1927.[3]

Since the institution of the annual Sugar Bowl game, Tulane Stadium itself was often informally referred to as "the Sugar Bowl". It was also billed as "The Queen of Southern Stadiums". It was in a portion of Tulane University's main campus in Uptown New Orleans fronting Willow Street, with parking stretching to Claiborne Avenue. The original 1926 structure was mostly of brick and concrete. The first Sugar Bowl game was played on January 1, 1935 (Tulane vs Temple University).

The stadium was eventually expanded to seat up to 80,985 fans. The additional seating sections were metal. Lights were installed in 1957.

In addition to hosting Tulane University football games and the Sugar Bowl, the stadium was also home to the National Football League's New Orleans Saints from 1967 through 1974.

Tulane Stadium was the site of Super Bowl IV, Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl IX. Super Bowl IX was the last professional league game ever played at the stadium.

Aside from the various bowls, the most memorable moment at the stadium might have been the Saints victory over the Detroit Lions on November 8, 1970. Prior to 1974, in the NFL the goal posts were on the goal line instead of the end line. With seconds remaining, the Saints attempted a place kick with the holder spotting at the Saints' own 37 yard line. Kicker Tom Dempsey nailed the 63-yard field goal with a couple of feet to spare, and the Saints won the game 19-17, one of only two games the Saints won that year. That record would stand alone for 28 years before it was tied by Jason Elam of the Denver Broncos.

In 1975, the day the new Louisiana Superdome was opened, Tulane Stadium was condemned. Upon appeal by the University, the older concrete and brick section was deemed fit to use, but not the newer metal seating section. The stadium then continued in more limited use for five years with the smaller seating area, used for football practice, high-school games, and other smaller events.

Tulane Stadium was demolished in 1980. The site is currently home to the Aron and Willow student housing complexes, the Diboll parking structure, the Reily Student Fitness Center and Brown Quad, a Fieldturf quad that roughly occupies the site of the football field.

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[edit] References


Preceded by
"Second" Tulane Stadium[2]
Home of the
Tulane Green Wave
19261974
Succeeded by
Louisiana Superdome
Preceded by
first stadium
Home of the
New Orleans Saints
19671974
Succeeded by
Louisiana Superdome
19752005
Preceded by
Miami Orange Bowl
Super Bowl II and Super Bowl III
Host of Super Bowl IV
1969
Succeeded by
Miami Orange Bowl
Super Bowl V
Preceded by
Miami Orange Bowl
Super Bowl V
Host of Super Bowl VI
1971
Succeeded by
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Super Bowl VII
Preceded by
Rice Stadium
Super Bowl VIII
Host of Super Bowl IX
1974
Succeeded by
Miami Orange Bowl
Super Bowl X