Scheumann Stadium
 | |
| Former names | Ball State Stadium (1967–2005) |
|---|---|
| Location | Tillotson Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47306 |
| Capacity |
16,319 (1967–1997) 21,581 (1998–2006) 22,500 (2007–present) |
| Record attendance |
23,861 (November 25, 2008) |
| Surface |
Grass (1967–1996, 2001–2006) Astroturf (1997–2000) FieldTurf (2007–present) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | September 16, 1967 |
| Architect | Walter Scholer and Associates |
| Tenants | |
| Ball State Cardinals (NCAA) (1967–present) | |
The Scheumann Stadium, formerly known as the Ball State Stadium, is in Muncie, Indiana. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Ball State University Cardinals. The stadium opened in 1967, and has a capacity of 22,500 for football games.
History
Anticipating rapid growth after transitioning from a teacher's college to a large state school, the Ball State University Board of Trustees approved construction of a new athletic stadium one mile north of campus in 1965. The stadium was completed in 1967 with a capacity of 16,000 for football. It replaced the previous stadium closer to campus, on University Avenue across from Ball Memorial Hospital. The site is now used as a band practice field. A grandstand on the south end of the stadium was added in the 1990s, increasing the capacity to 22,500. In 2005, the stadium was renamed after Ball State alumni and benefactors John B. and June M. Scheumann.
Today
In 2007, the stadium completed a $13 million renovation. Planned improvements included new lighting for night games, enclosing the north end zone with lawn seating to create a 22,500-seat horseshoe-shaped venue, new concession stands, a facade update using brick, a larger press box, and private luxury suites. On August 29, 2013, a new video board was installed. Another video board was installed at Worthen Arena.
For a time, notable Ball State alumnus David Letterman jokingly campaigned via his television program to have the stadium named for him. When the naming was given to the Scheumanns for their donations to the university, the mayor of nearby Indianapolis, Indiana (Letterman's childhood home), Bart Peterson joked that the city would rename the I-465 Beltway as the "David Letterman Expressway".
Records
Current mean game attendance at the stadium is at its highest in school history, averaging about 21,000 visitors per game as of the 2008 season. This can be attributed to the team's success, as well as recent renovations to the stadium. A school record 10,546 students attended the September 6, 2008, game versus the Navy Midshipmen. The game was televised nationally on ESPN, and Ball State won, 35–23.[1] The all-time record attendance for a game at Scheumann Stadium is 23,861 visitors, set on November 25, 2008, when Ball State completed an undefeated regular season by beating MAC rival, Western Michigan. The Cardinals won handily, 45–22, pushing their record to 12–0, but went on to lose their final two games of the season.
Following the 2010 season, Ball State ranked last in home attendance at any DI college football game.[2]
References
External links
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Coordinates: 40°12′58″N 85°25′0″W / 40.21611°N 85.41667°W