Archbold Stadium

Archbold Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Syracuse, New York. It opened in 1907 and was home to the Syracuse University football[2] football team prior to the Carrier Dome opening in 1980. At the time of its construction, it was one of only three concrete stadiums in the world.[3]

Archbold Stadium
LocationIrving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244
Coordinates43°2′10″N 76°8′11″W
OwnerSyracuse University
OperatorSyracuse University
Capacity23,000 (original)[1]
40,001 (maximum)
26,000 (final)
Construction
Broke groundMay 1, 1905
OpenedSeptember 25, 1907
ClosedNovember 11, 1978
Demolished1979
Tenants
Syracuse Orangemen

History

The stadium was named for John D. Archbold, who donated $600,000 for the project. He was also responsible for funding towards the building of Archbold Gymnasium, located just to the east overlooking the stadium. The stadium was built entirely of concrete in the excavated hill side and seated over 25,000 spectators.[4]

The stadium was occasionally used to stage Syracuse Stars minor league baseball games, such as in 1920 while the Stars were awaiting the completion of Star Park.

Description
The Syracuse University - Archbold Stadium - West entrance - 1922

The 800' x 475' stadium was oval-shaped, with a track (originally dirt) and a natural grass football field. The west end zone, the stadium's main entrance, was marked by a grand castle-like façade with turrets framing the gateway arch. There was originally a wooden roof over the central section of the south grandstands for the reserved seating.

Grandstand expansion
The Syracuse University - Archbold Stadium - Promenade

In the 1950s, the stadium was expanded to the north and south, bringing the capacity up to 40,000. However, by the 1970s, stricter fire codes forced a reduction in capacity to 26,000.

This proved to be the stadium's undoing. By the mid-1970s, Syracuse faced the prospect of being demoted to Division I-AA unless it got a more modern stadium, and quickly. It was closed following the 1978 season, to be razed for the building of the Carrier Dome, which occupies Archbold's former footprint.

Final game

In the final game at Archbold Stadium, on November 11, 1978, the Orangemen defeated nationally ranked Navy, 20-17.

During its history, Syracuse compiled a 265-112-20 record at Archbold.

Notes
  1. http://syrguide.com/guide/2013/03/27/archbold-stadium/
  2. The school did not adopt its current nickname of "Orange" until 2004.
  3. http://syrguide.com/guide/2013/03/27/archbold-stadium/
  4. Cranmer, Neil D. (17 October 1907). "Many Elmira Young Men Attend Syracuse University". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
The Oval		 Home of
Syracuse Orange football
1905 – 1978		 Succeeded by
Carrier Dome
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