Stagg Memorial Stadium

Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium, previously known as Pacific Memorial Stadium, was a 28,000 seat, outdoor multi-purpose stadium on the campus of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

History

Stadium construction

Pacific Memorial Stadium was built in 1950 after the successful fund drive which netted $165,000. Most of this money was through the sale of pre-ordered tickets (scrip), which were usable over a 10-year period. Construction began on the earth-filled structure in May 1950. Astonishingly, it was finished on time for the first football game of the season on 21 October 1950, a build time of less than 6 months. Pacific Memorial Stadium originally contained 35,975 seats with room for expansion to over 44,000, but renovations reduced the capacity to a configuration of 28,000. The stadium was the venue for a 1997 friendly match between the Brazil National Football Team and the Honduras National Football Team. Notably Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima commonly or simply known as Ronaldo, scored 6 goals as Brazil ran out 8-2 winners.

Stadium upgrades

The Pacific Club, which was added to the east-side of the stadium in 1973, was donated by Alex Spanos at a cost of $250,000. It sat up to 300, featuring glass walls and a great view of the stadium. When not in use for sporting events, it also held many university functions and gatherings. The scoreboard in the north end zone was erected in 1982 at a cost of $140,000 and measured 17 feet wide by 35 feet high.

In August 1986, thanks to donations from athletic boosters, lighting power at the stadium was upgraded to 75 footcandles from 35.

Stadium renaming

Pacific Memorial Stadium was officially renamed to Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium on 15 October 1988 to honor Amos Alonzo Stagg. Stagg, who ended his football coaching career at "College of the Pacific" in 1946, donated the land for the stadium to be built in 1950. He is widely regarded as a pioneer in the development of sport, not only in football but also in basketball and baseball.

Stadium closed

On 26 February 2012, University of the Pacific announced it would close Stagg Memorial Stadium to conduct a feasibility study to assess needed repairs, upgrades and changes required to make the facility meet modern standards in conjunction with a financial assessment to determine if the stadium could be repaired or if it should be replaced.^[1]

Stadium demolition

University of the Pacific began removal of Stagg Memorial Stadium on 24 February 2014 to make room for new athletics facilities, including a dedicated tennis center with 12 courts and a clubhouse, and new fields for soccer and field hockey.^[2] The first Pacific field hockey home game on the new turf field at University of the Pacific was played on 12 September 2014 versus the University of Albany.^[3] The groundbreaking ceremony for the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center was held on 17 October 2014.^[4]

Tenants

Stagg Memorial Stadium was home to the Pacific Tigers football program, beginning in 1950, until it was discontinued following the 1995 season. For many years it was also the home football field for nearby Stagg High School. The stadium was the sole home to the Pacific Tigers women's soccer team until the stadium was closed in 2012.

References