Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field

Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field is a football only facility located on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The stadium is home to the James Madison University Dukes football team, the 2004 NCAA Division I (FCS) National Champions.

Originally named Madison Stadium, it was built in 1975 and had a capacity of approximately 5,200.^[2] The stadium was originally designed as a multi-purpose facility, and hosted football, track and field, lacrosse, and field hockey events. In addition, the stadium contained indoor racquetball courts, several classrooms, support space for the JMU ROTC program, and administrative offices for JMU varsity athletic teams and media relations. In 1981, the stadium then called JMU Stadium, underwent its first expansion which included a second set of seats giving it a total capacity of more than 12,000. The facility was again renamed in 1990 for William E. Bridgeforth, former member of the JMU Board of Visitors. In 2003 the field was named in honor of JMU benefactor Zane Showker (whose name is also on the building for JMU's School of Business). In 2004, the facility added a new scoreboard with video replay features, which was dismantled after the 2010 season to make room for the permanent seating, and a new and much larger video scoreboard installed on the south end zone above the Plecker Athletic Performance Center. In 2006, the existing artificial turf was replaced with FieldTurf. The stadium is situated in the Lakeside area of campus, and is adjacent to the multi-million dollar Plecker Athletic Center and a five story parking deck.^[3]

A major stadium renovation and expansion project, begun in December 2009 and scheduled to be completed in August 2011, will establish seating capacity at approximately 25,000 permanent seats.

Stadium expansion

On January 11, 2008 during the James Madison University Board of Visitors’ meeting, university officials presented Phase I of the planned expansion for Bridgeforth Stadium.^[4]

Phase I features will include:

• The demolition of the existing west stands, removal of the track, and the construction of a two-tiered complex in its place
• Construction of 4200 permanent seats, restrooms and concessions in the north end zone
• Additional phase I seating (principally in the upper-deck) will total 9,100, bringing final capacity to approximately 25,000
• New premium viewing options from VIP suites and a club lounge with chairback seating
• Additional seating that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Increased fan amenities such as escalators, concourses, concessions and restrooms
• Relocated and expanded press box in the west stands
• Increased stadium lighting
• New and enlarged video scoreboard

Construction on Phase I expansion began in late 2009 and is set for completion prior to the 2011 season. When completed, the Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field complex, including the Plecker Athletic Performance Center and parking deck, will represent an investment of approximately $90 million.

• On September 10 2011 the Dukes played for the first time in the newly expanded stadium against Central Connecticut in front of a sellout crowd of 25,102 fans. The Dukes won 14-9.

References

External links

• Bridgeforth Stadium
• Stadium Expansion