Rynearson Stadium

Rynearson Stadium
The Factory
Location 184 Westview Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Coordinates 42°15′21″N 83°38′50″W / 42.25583°N 83.64722°W / 42.25583; -83.64722Coordinates: 42°15′21″N 83°38′50″W / 42.25583°N 83.64722°W / 42.25583; -83.64722
Owner Eastern Michigan University
Operator Eastern Michigan University
Capacity 30,200 (1992-present)
22,227 (1974-1991)
15,500 (1969-1973)
Surface FieldTurf (gray) (2014–present)
FieldTurf (green) (2005–2013)
Astroturf (1991–2004)
Natural Grass (1969–1990)
Construction
Broke ground 1968
Opened September 27, 1969
Expanded 1974, 1992
Construction cost $1.4 million (approximate)
($91.4 million in 2016 dollars[1])
Architect HNTB (renovations)
Tenants
Eastern Michigan Eagles (NCAA) (1969-present)
Detroit Wheels (WFL) (1974)

Rynearson Stadium is a stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Eastern Michigan University Eagles. Currently, the stadium has seating for 30,200 people. Standing room is available in the south end zone, allowing for crowds larger than the listed capacity. The stadium is located on the school's west campus, just south of the Huron River.

History

The stadium held its first game on September 27, 1969, when EMU upset the University of Akron, 10-3. It originally consisted of two opposite sideline stands around the field and running track. It is one of only two stadiums in the MAC which shares its football field with a running track (UB Stadium being the other). The stadium was named for the late Elton J. Rynearson, Sr., who coached football at Eastern Michigan for 26 seasons. His teams compiled a record of 114-58-15. In one six-year period, from 1925–30, Rynearson’s teams won 40 games, tied two, and lost just four.

The largest attendance for an EMU game at Rynearson Stadium was 26,188 (87% of capacity), on November 28, 2008, for a 56-52 win over Central Michigan.[2]

Renovations

In 1992, the seats were expanded south from each grandstand but not connected, giving the stadium the look of an unfinished horseshoe. This was done to conform to the new Division I-A rules for minimum stadium size. Originally a grass field, the field has been artificial since 1991 and was upgraded to FieldTurf in 2005. More recently, the original FieldTurf was replaced prior to the 2014 season by a new gray FieldTurf surface. This made Rynearson Stadium only the second Division I FBS stadium with a non-traditional field color (after Albertsons Stadium at Boise State) and the sixth college football stadium overall with this feature.[3] Lighting was added in 1974, partially due to the Detroit Wheels of the World Football League using the stadium as their home field. The stadium has also hosted high school football games.

Aerial view of Rynearson Stadium
Olds/Marshall Track in Rynearson Stadium, with the Convocation Center in the background
The "home" (west) side of the stadium
The "away" (east) side of the stadium

See also

References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Eastern Michigan University 2010 Media Guide". p. 132. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  3. ↑ "EMU Installing Gray FieldTurf Surface at Rynearson Stadium" (Press release). Eastern Michigan University Athletics. June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
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