Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium
(often shortened to Chapman Stadium
) is an American football stadium located on the campus of the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is primarily the home of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team. The stadium currently seats 35,542.
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SKELLY FIELD AT H.A. CHAPMAN STADIUM TICKETS
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History
Skelly Field
(as it was originally known) was built in 1930 as a 14,500-seat stadium. It was named for its primary benefactor, William Skelly, the founder of
Skelly Oil. Tulsa defeated
Arkansas 26-6 at the opening game on
October 4,
1930.
[1]
In 1947 the north stands were added and the stadium was renamed
Skelly Stadium
. In 1965, the track was removed, the field was lowered, the west stands were expanded and the south stands were added, bringing the total capacity to 40,385 seats. In February 2005, the north stands were demolished to make way for the new Case Athletic Complex. The new seating capacity is 35,542.
The stadium, located on historic
U.S. Route 66, hosted the
Oklahoma Outlaws of the
USFL in 1984. Skelly was once the principal home field for two American football legends – future NFL Hall-of-Famer (and later U.S. Congressman)
Steve Largent when he played for the University of Tulsa and
Doug Williams of the Oklahoma Outlaws, who later was a
Super Bowl MVP for the
Washington Redskins. The stadium was also home to the
Tulsa Roughnecks of the
North American Soccer League in the 1970s and 1980s.
The stadium's attendance record was established on
September 26,
1987, when 47,350 fans watched Tulsa lose to
Oklahoma, 65-0.
On
April 26,
2007 it was reported that, with a renovation project underway, the stadium will be known as
Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium
after the primary benefactor of the renovation.
[2]
The stadium is also used for
Union Public Schools versus
Jenks Public schools football gmaes
Renovation
The stadium is due for a renovation following the end of the 2007 football season. The project will include new seating, a new pressbox, club and loge seating, and a new scoreboard. With the removal of the upper section of the west stands, seating capacity will drop to approximately 31,000, which will make Chapman Stadium the smallest stadium in
Conference USA.
The renovation is expected to be complete in time for the 2008 season.
References
- Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium
- TU's stadium changes titles, but Skelly name not forgotten