Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium

Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium
Former names College Bowl (1947-1960)
Paul Snow Stadium (1961-2009)
Location 700 Pelham Road
Jacksonville, AL 36265
Coordinates 33°49′13″N 85°45′59″W / 33.82028°N 85.76639°W / 33.82028; -85.76639Coordinates: 33°49′13″N 85°45′59″W / 33.82028°N 85.76639°W / 33.82028; -85.76639
Owner Jacksonville State University
Operator Jacksonville State University
Executive suites 33 Suites with up to 20 seats each[1]
Capacity 24,000 (2010-present)
15,000 (1978-2009)
8,500 (1965-1977)
5,000 (1947-1964)
Record attendance 23,692
Dec. 19, 2015
vs Sam Houston State Bearkats
Surface ProGrass
Construction
Broke ground January 1947
Opened November 15, 1947[2]
Expanded 1965, 1978, 2010
Construction cost $47 million (renovation)
Architect McKee and Associates (renovation)
Tenants
Jacksonville State Gamecocks (NCAA) (1947–present)
Jacksonville High School Golden Eagles (AHSAA) (until 2004)
Jacksonville Christian Academy Thunder (AHSAA) (2005-2007)

Burgess–Snow Field at JSU Stadium is a 24,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama. It opened in 1947 and is home to the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks football team. It was also home to the Jacksonville High School Golden Eagles football team until 2004, when they moved to a new stadium on the high school campus. It also served as home to Jacksonville Christian Academy's football team from 2005 until September 27, 2007, when JCA opened an on campus football field.[3]

History

Jacksonville State was originally known as the Jacksonville Teachers College Eagle Owls. The football team played its games next to John Forney National Guard Armory.

The "College Bowl", as it was known originally, was dedicated at homecoming 1947. The Gamecocks, as they had come to be known, opened the new stadium with a win over Pembroke. The initial season at the College Bowl was as successful one, as the Gamecocks went 9-0.

The College Bowl officially became Paul Snow Stadium in 1961. That year, the stadium was dedicated to longime JSU supporter Paul Snow.

Burgess-Snow Stadium was renovated in 1965 when seating was expanded from 5,000 to 8,500. A new press box was installed on the north side of the facility. Under the supervision of longtime Athletic Director Jerry N. Cole, a field house was constructed in 1977. A student section was added in 1978, bringing the total capacity to 15,000. In 2010, an expansion project including additional seating to the south stands and east endzone and the seven-story Stadium Tower (floors 1-4 function as a residence hall for students, while floors 5-7 house skyboxes and the press box) was completed, increasing the seating capacity to 24,000. In 2015, Stadium Tower was renamed William A. Meehan Hall in honor of former JSU President William A. Meehan, who retired that year.

In 2010, the name of Paul Snow Stadium was changed to Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium, in honor of former JSU coach Bill Burgess who coached the team to the 1992 Division II championship.

Improvements

Artificial turf was placed in Burgess–Snow Field in time for the 2005 Football season. The turf is the same used by many colleges, high schools and pro teams (ProGrass). This was the first renovation to the stadium. In early 2007, a new scoreboard with video screens was placed over the seats in the east endzone.

Memorable Dates

References

  1. ↑ "Gamecock Suites". Jacksonville State University Athletics. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Homecoming Game To Open New Stadium". The Anniston Star. November 13, 1947. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  3. ↑ JSUFB07pg001-024 intro.indd

External links

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