Legion Field: Difference between revisions
m (→Collegiate teams: Reworded Magic City Classic portion slightly.) |
(Corrections, added details) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Legion Field''' is a large [[stadium]] at 400 [[Graymont Avenue]] in the [[Graymont]] neighborhood. It is primarily designed to be used as a football venue, but is also used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the [[American Legion]], a U.S. organization of military veterans | '''Legion Field''', sometimes referred to as the "'''Old Gray Lady'''", is a large [[stadium]] at 400 [[Graymont Avenue]] in the [[Graymont]] neighborhood. It is primarily designed to be used as a football venue, but is also used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the [[American Legion]], a U.S. organization of military veterans. After several expansions, its peak capacity was 83,810 for a soccer match during the [[1996 Olympics]]. The recent removal of the upper deck has reduced the capacity to 71,594. | ||
== History == | |||
Construction was begun in [[1926]] for a cost of $439,000. The stadium originally seated 21,000. It opened on November 19, [[1927]] to a game played between local colleges [[Howard College|Howard]] and [[Birmingham-Southern College|Birmingham-Southern]]. Howard College won the game 9-0. | |||
===Playing surface=== | |||
Artificial turf was installed at Legion Field in [[1970]]. It remained in place until [[1995]] when a high-tech, natural, Bermuda grass surface was installed for soccer games of the [[1996 Olympics]]. The stadium has also been used successfully as a site for other major soccer events, including exhibition games by the U.S. men's and women's national soccer teams and a World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Guatemala in [[2005]]. The removed artificial turf can now be found at [[Lawson Field]]. In [[2006]], to accommodate high school football games, the [[Birmingham Park and Recreation Board]], reconverted the grass surface back to artificial turf. As a result, the future of world class soccer at Legion Field is doubtful. | |||
===Upper deck=== | |||
In [[2004]] a structural evaluation determined that the 9,000 seat upper deck, installed in [[1961]], would need major remediation to meet modern building codes. Because the capacity of the stadium was well beyond the needs of any of its current tenants, the process of dismantling and removing the upper deck was begun in June [[2005]] and completed two months later. | |||
==Collegiate teams== | ==Collegiate teams== | ||
Until the [[1990s]] the [[University of Alabama]] played the majority of their home football games at Legion Field, a practice that has now ended. [[Auburn University]] has used the stadium similarly for a while, but not as extensively. It currently serves as the home field for the [[UAB football|UAB Blazers]], who compete in Conference USA. | Until the [[1990s]] the [[University of Alabama]] played the majority of their home football games at Legion Field, a practice that has now ended. [[Auburn University]] has used the stadium similarly for a while, but not as extensively. It currently serves as the home field for the [[UAB football|UAB Blazers]], who compete in Conference USA. | ||
Legion Field was best-known for hosting the annual [[Iron Bowl]] between Alabama and Auburn every year from [[1948]] to [[ | Legion Field was best-known for hosting the annual [[Iron Bowl]] between Alabama and Auburn every year from [[1948]] to [[1988]]. In [[1989]] Auburn moved their "home" games in the series to their own stadium. Alabama followed suit in [[2001]]. On [[August 19]], [[2004]], the University of Alabama announced that they would not be playing any further home games at Legion Field, leaving UAB as the sole regular season tenant. | ||
The stadium has also acted as host of the annual [[Magic City Classic]] played by Alabama A&M University (of Huntsville) and Alabama State University (of Montgomery), | The stadium has also acted as host of the annual [[Magic City Classic]] played by Alabama A&M University (of Huntsville) and Alabama State University (of Montgomery), the two largest historically black universities in the state, since [[1948]]. | ||
Legion Field also hosted three post-season bowl games, the [[Dixie Bowl]] (1947-1948), the [[Hall of Fame Classic]] (1977-1985) and the [[All-American Bowl]] (1986-1990). In | Legion Field also hosted three post-season bowl games, the [[Dixie Bowl]] (1947-1948), the [[Hall of Fame Classic]] (1977-1985) and the [[All-American Bowl]] (1986-1990). In 2006 Legion Field will host the inaugural [[Birmingham Bowl]]. | ||
In addition, it hosts the title game for the [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]], and was the site of the first two [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] football championship games. | In addition, it hosts the title game for the [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]], and was the site of the first two [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] football championship games. | ||
| Line 17: | Line 26: | ||
==High school football== | ==High school football== | ||
The city uses the stadium for occasional high school football matchups and for the annual "[[Super 6]]" AHSAA state high school football championships. | The city uses the stadium for occasional high school football matchups and for the annual "[[Super 6]]" AHSAA state high school football championships. | ||
==Propsed renovations== | ==Propsed renovations== | ||
Revision as of 09:53, 9 October 2006
Legion Field, sometimes referred to as the "Old Gray Lady", is a large stadium at 400 Graymont Avenue in the Graymont neighborhood. It is primarily designed to be used as a football venue, but is also used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. After several expansions, its peak capacity was 83,810 for a soccer match during the 1996 Olympics. The recent removal of the upper deck has reduced the capacity to 71,594.
History
Construction was begun in 1926 for a cost of $439,000. The stadium originally seated 21,000. It opened on November 19, 1927 to a game played between local colleges Howard and Birmingham-Southern. Howard College won the game 9-0.
Playing surface
Artificial turf was installed at Legion Field in 1970. It remained in place until 1995 when a high-tech, natural, Bermuda grass surface was installed for soccer games of the 1996 Olympics. The stadium has also been used successfully as a site for other major soccer events, including exhibition games by the U.S. men's and women's national soccer teams and a World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Guatemala in 2005. The removed artificial turf can now be found at Lawson Field. In 2006, to accommodate high school football games, the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, reconverted the grass surface back to artificial turf. As a result, the future of world class soccer at Legion Field is doubtful.
Upper deck
In 2004 a structural evaluation determined that the 9,000 seat upper deck, installed in 1961, would need major remediation to meet modern building codes. Because the capacity of the stadium was well beyond the needs of any of its current tenants, the process of dismantling and removing the upper deck was begun in June 2005 and completed two months later.
Collegiate teams
Until the 1990s the University of Alabama played the majority of their home football games at Legion Field, a practice that has now ended. Auburn University has used the stadium similarly for a while, but not as extensively. It currently serves as the home field for the UAB Blazers, who compete in Conference USA.
Legion Field was best-known for hosting the annual Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn every year from 1948 to 1988. In 1989 Auburn moved their "home" games in the series to their own stadium. Alabama followed suit in 2001. On August 19, 2004, the University of Alabama announced that they would not be playing any further home games at Legion Field, leaving UAB as the sole regular season tenant.
The stadium has also acted as host of the annual Magic City Classic played by Alabama A&M University (of Huntsville) and Alabama State University (of Montgomery), the two largest historically black universities in the state, since 1948.
Legion Field also hosted three post-season bowl games, the Dixie Bowl (1947-1948), the Hall of Fame Classic (1977-1985) and the All-American Bowl (1986-1990). In 2006 Legion Field will host the inaugural Birmingham Bowl.
In addition, it hosts the title game for the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and was the site of the first two SEC football championship games.
Professional teams
The venue also served as home field for the Birmingham Americans (Vulcans) of the World Football League (1974-1975), the Alabama Vulcans of the American Football Association in 1979, the Alabama Magic again of the American Football Association in 1982, the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (1983-1985), and the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football (now NFL Europe) in 1991-92. Afterward in 1995, it was the home field of the Birmingham Barracudas for their single season of play as part of the short-lived expansion of the Canadian Football League into the U.S. In 2001 it was the home field for the single season of the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL.
High school football
The city uses the stadium for occasional high school football matchups and for the annual "Super 6" AHSAA state high school football championships.
Propsed renovations
In October 2006, Birmingham City Council President Carole Smitherman proposed that Legion Field be converted into a domed facility as an alternative to the proposed dome for the BJCC. The idea of covering the stadium was first proposed in the late 1990s with a thin, canvas like material. In addition to the proposed roof, a new parking garage would also be constructed as part of the project in an effort to draw more businesses to the Graymont Avenue corridor. The renovations would ideally serve as a catalyst for development into the Smithfield neighborhood.
References
- Bryant, Joseph D. (October 4, 2006) "Councilwoman wants body to consider her plan to bring new life to city's old stadium." Birmingham News.