Commonwealth Stadium (Kentucky)

Commonwealth Stadium

C. M. Newton Field
Location	1540 University Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40506
Coordinates	38°1′22″N 84°30′19″W
Owner	University of Kentucky
Operator	University of Kentucky
Capacity	61,000 (2015–present) 62,093 (2014) 67,942 (2009–2013) 67,606 (2003–2008) 67,530 (1999–2002) 55,453 (1998) 57,800 (1991–1997) 56,696 (1979–1990) 58,000 (1973–1978)
Surface	UBU-Intensity Series-S5-M Synthetic Turf (2015–present) Kentucky bluegrass (1973–2014)
Construction
Broke ground	July 23, 1972
Opened	September 15, 1973
Renovated	2015
Expanded	1999
Construction cost	$12 million ($64.7 million in 2017 dollars)
Architect	HNTB
General contractor	Huber, Hunt & Nichols
Tenants
Kentucky Wildcats football (NCAA) (1973–present)

Commonwealth Stadium is a stadium in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, located on the campus of the University of Kentucky that primarily serves as the home field for the Kentucky Wildcats football team. The stadium, named for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, opened in 1973 to replace the smaller Stoll Field/McLean Stadium. The field is named C. M. Newton Field in honor of retired UK athletic director and former baseball and basketball player C. M. Newton.

Built in 1973, it is the newest football stadium in the Southeastern Conference, as measured by date of original construction. The original capacity for the stadium was 57,800. In Commonwealth's first game, played on September 15, 1973, the Wildcats defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 31–26, as quarterback Ernie Lewis ran for two touchdowns and threw for another touchdown to lead the Wildcats.

In 1999 both ends of the stadium were enclosed and 40 suites were added, 10 in each corner of the stadium, resulting in a symmetrical oval bowl seating 67,530. The total cost of the expansion was $27.6 million. Seating adjustments over the next decade brought capacity to 67,942. During the 1999 season, Kentucky's average home attendance for football games was 67,756. Attendance for the game against Tennessee that year was 71,022, which remained the record attendance until the Wildcats' 2007 game against Florida drew 71,024.

Since 1999, fireworks have been shot from atop the suites when the Wildcats take the field, as well as after every Wildcat score and win.

In July 2011, the University of Kentucky announced a massive audio and video upgrade to Commonwealth Stadium. These upgrades include two LED video boards each measuring approximately 37 feet (11 m) high by 80 feet (24 m) wide (2,960 square feet), making each display the 20th-largest scoreboard in the country. Combined, the 5,920 square feet (550 m²) will make the new video boards one of the largest scoreboard systems in the country. Additionally, a new custom audio system and over 1,800 linear sq/ft of video ribbon board will be implemented by September 10, 2011.

The approximate cost of the upgrades total close to $6 million.

The stadium recently underwent a $110 million renovation. The renovation includes a new press box, loge box seats, club seats, recruiting room, suites, concourses, bathrooms, lights and exterior facade while reducing capacity to around 61,000. The project was completed before the start of the 2015 season. It is particularly referred to as "The New Commonwealth Stadium".

Interior 2008

Exterior 2008

Stadium records

Record description	Record	Record holder(s)	Date	Opponent	Final Score
Most rushing yards, game	272 yds	Moe Williams	November 11, 1995	Cincinnati	33-14
Most passing yards, game	528 yds	Jared Lorenzen	October 21, 2000	Georgia	30-32
Most receptions, game	16	Craig Yeast	November 14, 1998	Vanderbilt	55-17
Most receiving yards, game	269 yds	Craig Yeast	November 14, 1998	Vanderbilt	55-17
Longest run from line of scrimmage	88 yds	Jalen Whitlow	November 2, 2013	Alabama State	48-14
Longest pass play	91 yds	Buck Belue^ to Amp Arnold^	October 25, 1980	Georgia	0-27
Longest field goal	54 yds	Hap Hines^	October 26, 1996	Georgia	24-17
Longest Punt	86 yds	Donnie Jones^	November 9, 2002	LSU	30-33
Longest Kickoff Return	100 yds	Willie Shelby^ Tyrone Prothro^ Derrick Locke	September 22, 1973 October 9, 2004 September 19, 2009	Alabama Alabama Louisville	14-28 17-45 31-27
Longest Punt Return	84 yds	Rafael Little	November 18, 2006	Louisiana-Monroe	42-40
Longest Interception Return	91 yds	Greg Long	September 5, 1981	North Texas State	28-6
Most Points Scored	77	Kentucky	September 7, 2002	UTEP	77-17
Most overtimes	7*	Kentucky	November 1, 2003	Arkansas	63-71

^ Denotes Non-Kentucky Player
* Tied the NCAA record for most overtimes

Pregame of 2005 Kentucky vs. Auburn game.

See also

• Kentucky Wildcats football
• Bluegrass Miracle
• 2003 Arkansas vs. Kentucky football game, a game at Commonwealth that took seven overtime procedures to decide
• Stoll Field/McLean Stadium

External links

• Official UK athletics site
• The Commonwealth Stadium at www.worldofstadiums.com