Falcon Stadium

Falcon Stadium is an outdoor football stadium on the campus of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It is the home field of the Air Force Falcons of the Mountain West Conference, and also holds the academy's graduation ceremonies each spring.[3][4]

For stadiums of the professional team, see Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Falcon Stadium
From northeast corner in 2008
Falcon Stadium
Location in Colorado
Falcon Stadium
Location in the United States
Location2169 Field House Drive
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO, U.S.
Coordinates38.997°N 104.843°W / 38.997; -104.843
OwnerU.S. Air Force
OperatorU.S. Air Force Academy
Capacity46,692 (2005–present)
52,480 (1996–2004)
50,126 (1995)
52,000 (1993–1994)
52,123 (1986–1992)
46,668 (1972–1985)
40,828 (1962–1971)
Record attendance56,409
(vs. Notre Dame, 2002)
SurfaceFieldTurf (2006–present)
Natural grass (1962–2005)
Construction
OpenedSeptember 22, 1962
59 years ago
Expanded1972, 1990
Construction cost$3.5 million
($29.6 million in 2021[1])
ArchitectPraeger-Kavanaugh-Waterbury[2]
Slater Paul Architects (renovations)
General contractorB. H. Baker Inc.[2]
Tenants
Air Force Falcons (NCAA) (1962–present)
April 2002 satellite view

History

From 1956 to 1961, Air Force played its home games at various sites along the Front Range in Colorado.[5][6] Most games were played in Denver at the University of Denver's stadium,[7] but several were played in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and CU's Folsom Field in Boulder.[8]

Planned in 1955,[9][10] Falcon Stadium opened 59 years ago in 1962, at a cost of $3.5 million, and has a current seating capacity of 46,692. The first game was on September 22, a 34–0 victory over Colorado State.[11] It was officially dedicated four weeks later on October 20,[12][13] with a ceremony which included the Thunderbirds.[14]

Construction

The U.S. Air Force Academy lies at the base of the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains, northwest of adjacent Colorado Springs.[15] Built into a natural bowl about two miles (3 km) southeast and 500 feet (150 m) below the cadet area, Falcon Stadium is approximately a mile (1.6 km) west of Interstate 25.

With an unbalanced design and a traditional north–south alignment, the western sideline has the press box and two large grandstand tiers above the main bowl; the eastern side has a single tier, bordered by seven separate sections of grandstands.

Elevation

The FieldTurf playing field is at an elevation of 6,621 feet (2,018 m) above sea level,[16] the second highest in FBS college football, exceeded only by conference foe Wyoming's War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, which is 600 feet (180 m) higher.

The Walkup Skydome at FCS Northern Arizona in Flagstaff is also slightly higher, by 250 feet (75 m). In Division II, the Mountaineer Bowl of Western State Colorado in Gunnison exceeds them all at 7,769 feet (2,368 m).

The elevation was essential for preparing the 2017 New England Patriot's trip to the 2017 NFL Mexico Game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.[17] As the stadium sits at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2195 meters) above sea level,[18] Bill Belichick decided the elevation at Falcon Stadium was best for the Patriots to practice in preparation for the thin air in Mexico City. Same was the case for the 2018 Los Angeles Rams, however, the 2018 game was eventually canceled because of poor field conditions at Azteca.[19]

Improvements

Falcon Stadium had a natural grass field for its first 44 years, although the sideline areas where teams stood were artificial turf since the 1980s. Prior to the 2006 season, synthetic FieldTurf was installed at a cost of $750,000.

The stadium has been expanded twice, and the 2005 renovation lowered the total seating capacity. Permanent lighting was installed in Falcon Stadium in 2002 at a cost of $500,000, and the video screen at the south end of the field debuted in 2004. A new sound system was also installed for the 2006 season. The scoreboard was removed after the 2015 season, and a new, larger video board measuring 31 ft 2 in (9.5 m) tall by 82 ft 8 in (25.2 m) wide, with a total surface area of more than 2,500 square feet (230 m2). At its installation in 2016, it was the largest in the Mountain West Conference and amongst the service academies. A second video board was also installed behind the northeast stands prior to the 2016 season.

Events
The United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps performing at Falcon Stadium during a USAFA football game against Idaho State University.

Ice hockey

On January 1, 2019, it was announced that Falcon Stadium would host the 2020 NHL Stadium Series outdoor game, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Los Angeles Kings.[20]

Date Winning Team Result Losing Team Event Attendance
February 15, 2020Los Angeles Kings3–1Colorado Avalanche2020 NHL Stadium Series43,574

See also

References
  1. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  2. Falcon Stadium, United States Air Force Academy, 6/30/2012
  3. "Nixon defends military in A.F. Academy speech". Lodi News-Sentinel. (California). UPI. June 5, 1969. p. 3.
  4. Hilliard, Carl (May 29, 1986). "Bush addresses Air Force class". Times-News. (Hendersonville, North Carolina). Associated Press. p. 21.
  5. cfbdatawarehouse.com, 1956 data Archived November 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. cfbdatawarehouse.com, 1960 data Archived November 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Army & Middies snubbing Falcons?". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 14, 1958. p. 19.
  8. MacCambridge, Michael, ed. ESPN College Football Encyclopedia. New York: Hyperion, 2005. Pg. 68.
  9. "Plan stadium for Air Force football team". Ellensburg Daily Record. Washington. Associated Press. October 28, 1955. p. 8.
  10. "Air academy stadium planned in Colorado". Tuscaloosa News. (Alabama). Associated Press. October 30, 1955. p. 13.
  11. "Rockies: Air Force 34–0". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. September 23, 1962. p. 5B.
  12. "Air Force will dedicate stadium". Florence Times. (Alabama). Associated Press. October 17, 1962. p. 2.
  13. "Ducks sail past airmen". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 2, sports.
  14. Strite, Dick (October 21, 1962). "Oregon shoots down Air Force 35-20". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 1B.
  15. Sutton, Horace (October 22, 1961). "Sky blue". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). (Sunday magazine). p. 28.
  16. Topographic map from USGS via Microsoft Research Maps
  17. Namnoum, Rob (2018-01-31). "The time the Patriots spent a week in Colorado Springs". KRDO. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  18. Longman, Jeré (2009-08-10). "In Mexico City, a Soccer Stadium Where Visitors Rarely Breathe Easy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  19. brent.briggeman@gazette.com, BRENT BRIGGEMAN. "Rams to stay in Colorado Springs despite NFL's decision not to play in Mexico City". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  20. Kesting, Amanda (January 1, 2019). "NHL Stadium Series coming back to Colorado in 2020". 9News.com. Tegna. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
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