Wildcat Stadium (University of New Hampshire)

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Coordinates: 43°08′19″N 70°56′23″W / 43.13861°N 70.93972°W / 43.13861; -70.93972

Wildcat Stadium
The Dungeon
Former names Alumni Field (1936–1951)
Cowell Stadium (1952–2016)
Location 145 Main Street
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Owner University of New Hampshire
Operator University of New Hampshire
Capacity 11,015 (2016–)
6,500 (1936–2015)
Surface FieldTurf
Construction
Broke ground 1936
Opened October 10, 1936
Expanded 2015
Construction cost $25 million (expansion)
Architect unknown
Tenants
UNH Football and Track & Field

Wildcat Stadium is a 11,015-seat open-air multi-purpose stadium in Durham, New Hampshire on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. It is home to the New Hampshire Wildcats football and track and field varsity teams. The stadium, which runs west-northwest, consists of a FieldTurf playing surface surrounded by a 400-metre track. On either side of the track are aluminum stands (the larger home stands being on northeast side). The stadium lies just southwest of the Field House, which houses Lundholm Gym as well as Swazey Pool and the Jerry Azumah Performance Center.

The stadium opened on October 10, 1936 with a game against rival Maine. The stadium is a part of the main athletics area of campus, south of Main Street and west of the railroad tracks. It replaced Memorial Field, which has since been remodeled for use by women's lacrosse and field hockey, and lies across Main St. beside the Whittemore Center. The stadium was originally named Alumni Field, but was renamed in 1952 in honor of former football coach and athletic director William H. "Butch" Cowell. The field itself was renamed Mooradian Field in 1994 to honor Andy Mooradian, a longtime UNH professor and athletic director. The track and field facility surrounding the field is named after Reggie F. Atkins, UNH class of 1928, a star student athlete who in later life donated the funds to start building the facility.

The stadium went through major renovations during the 2015 offseason.[1] Plans called for a new seating section on the Eastern End Zone side, which included new restrooms, concession, and press box. It also called for restoration of the current Western End Zone seats, along with renaming the stadium.

Controversy[edit]

The university was criticized for using $1 million for a video scoreboard in the stadium from a mostly unrestricted bequest of $4 million by Robert Morin, a former librarian at the university.[1] One alumna stated, "The school's administrative decision to spend a quarter of Morin's generous donation on an inconsequential trinket for the athletic department is a complete disgrace to the spirit and memory of Robert Morin."[2][3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Guarino, Ben (September 16, 2016). "University to buy $1 million football scoreboard with thrifty librarian's money, outraging critics". Washington Post. Retrieved 16 September 2016. 
  2. ^ Seltzer, Rick. "The librarian's bequest". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 
  3. ^ Cortese, Claire. "How the University of New Hampshire Chose to Waste an Alum's $4m Gift". Odyssey. Retrieved September 16, 2016. 

External links[edit]

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