Malone Stadium

JPS Field at Malone Stadium
The Hawk
Former names Malone Stadium (1978–2013)
Location 514 Warhawk Way
Monroe, Louisiana 71203
Coordinates 32°31′51″N 92°3′57″W / 32.53083°N 92.06583°W / 32.53083; -92.06583Coordinates: 32°31′51″N 92°3′57″W / 32.53083°N 92.06583°W / 32.53083; -92.06583
Owner University of Louisiana at Monroe
Operator University of Louisiana at Monroe
Capacity 20,000 (1978–1982)
23,277 (1983–1990)
22,077 (1991–1992)
30,427 (1993–present)
Record attendance 31,175
(September 21, 2012 vs. Baylor)
Surface FieldTurf
Construction
Broke ground 1977
Opened September 16, 1978
Renovated 2008, 2014
Construction cost $2.5 million
Architect Hugh G. Parker, Jr. Architects (renovations)
Tenants
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football (1978–present)

JPS Field at Malone Stadium is a stadium in Monroe, Louisiana, United States, on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. It is primarily used for football and is the home field of the ULM Warhawks.

History

Because Northeast Louisiana University's previous stadium could hold just over 8,000 spectators, the late Mayor W. L. "Jack" Howard pushed for construction of a new football stadium.[1] Malone Stadium, named after the winningest coach in school history James L. Malone, opened on September 16, 1978, with a capacity of 20,000, with the then-Northeast Louisiana Indians beat Arkansas State, 21–13.

It is located across Bayou Desiard from the main campus, the center of the school's athletic facilities. The field runs roughly north-northeast, with an imbalanced grandstand, the west stands being the larger stands. The lower west level is a solid enclosed structure, with the ULM Athletic Training Center enclosed, and the upper level extends much higher, with the press box and luxury boxes located on top. The east side is also decked, with a short first deck wrapping around almost from goalpost to goalpost and another short steel-supported upper deck running the length of the field.

Renovations

Both sides of seating were extended into each end zone in 1983, increasing the capacity to 23,277. The press box was enlarged in 1991, and capacity decreased to 22,077. In 1993, 8,350 seats were added to the stadium, increasing capacity to its current figure of 30,427.

Scoreboard in 2012

In 2007, ULM excavated the natural grass from Malone Stadium to install ProPlay artificial turf.[2]

In 2011, the university installed a new scoreboard with a high definition video display measuring 23 feet high by 48 feet wide (1,104 square feet) and flanked by two low definition video panels for advertisements measuring 16 feet high by 14 feet wide.[3] Also, a new sound system was installed in the upper corners of the scoreboard.

A record crowd of 31,175 was reached on September 21, 2012 against the Baylor Bears at the 2012 home opener.

In 2014, JPS Aviation/JPS Equipment Rental paid $450,000 to replace the artificial turf with new FieldTurf and for the field to be named JPS Field at Malone Stadium for the next eight seasons.[4]

A new field house facility was completed in August 2016 at a cost of $4.1 million. The 11,750-square-foot (1,092 m2) building is located in the north end zone, attached to the west grandstand. It features a hall of fame area, locker room, coaches’ offices, and patios overlooking the field.[5]

Top 10 Largest Crowds

The largest crowd to see a Warhawk football game in Malone Stadium was 31,175 on September 21, 2012, when the Warhawks hosted Baylor University.

Rank Date Attendance Opponent Result
1 September 21, 2012 31,175 Baylor L, 42–47
2 November 20, 2007 30,101 Grambling State W, 28–14
3 October 10, 1998 28,725 Louisiana Tech L, 14–44
4 September 10, 2011 26,532 Grambling State W, 35–7
5 September 7, 1996 24,842 Minnesota L, 3–30
6 September 3, 2016 24,718 Southern W, 38–21
7 October 9, 1982 23,900 Louisiana Tech L, 10–17
8 September 7, 2013 23,600 Grambling State W, 48–10
9 November 3, 1984 23,452 Louisiana Tech W, 12–10
10 August 30, 2007 22,022 Tulsa L, 17–35

See also

References

  1. ↑ "John Underwood, "New Boys On The Block: From the day he's hired, a college football coach has two things in common with his predecessor—a belief he can do the job, a good chance he won't. Meet four fresh optimists," September 6, 1976". si.com. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Work begins on field at Malone Stadium". April 30, 2007. Retrieved on October 12, 2009.
  3. ↑ University of Louisiana at Monroe to Upgrade with Daktronics LED Technology
  4. ↑ http://www.ulmwarhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209392972
  5. ↑ Hunsucker, Adam (August 2, 2016). "ULM unveils much-anticipated football facility". The News-Star. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
Brown Stadium		 Home of the
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football
1978-present 		Succeeded by
current
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