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°WCoordinates: 32°31′51″N 92°3′57″W / 32.53083°N 92.06583°W
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.

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]

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
T–6	November 3, 1984	23,900	Louisiana Tech	W, 12–10
T–6	October 9, 1982	23,900	Louisiana Tech	L, 10–17
8	September 7, 2013	23,600	Grambling State	W, 48–10
9	August 30, 2007	22,022	Tulsa	L, 17–35
10	October 4, 2008	21,929	Louisiana–Lafayette	L, 35–44

See also

• List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums

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

External links

• Malone Stadium - ULMAthletics.com