Archbold Stadium

{{Short description|Former football stadium at Syracuse University}}

{{Infobox venue

|stadium_name = Archbold Stadium

|nickname =

|image = Syracuse-university Archbold.jpg

|location = Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244

|coordinates = {{coord|43|2|10|N|76|8|11|W|type:landmark|display=it}}

|broke_ground = May 1, 1905{{sfn|Galpin|1960|p=278}}

|built = August 20, 1906{{sfn|Galpin|1960|p=278}}

|opened = September 25, 1907

|closed = November 11, 1978

|demolished = 1979

|owner = Syracuse University

|operator = Syracuse University

|surface =

|construction_cost=

|architect = Frederick Revels & Earl Hallenback{{cite web |title=School History |url=https://soa.syr.edu/school/school-history/ |website=soa.syr.edu |publisher=Syracuse Architecture |access-date=26 February 2022 |language=en}}

| builder = Consolidated Engineering & Construction Company{{sfn|Galpin|1960|p=278}}

| project_manager = Ivar Kreuger{{sfn|Galpin|1960|p=278}}

|former_names =

|tenants = 1907-1978 Syracuse Orangemen

|seating_capacity = 30,000 (original)
40,001 (maximum)
26,000 (final)

}}

Archbold Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Syracuse, New York. It opened in 1907 and was home to the Syracuse Orangemen{{efn|The school did not adopt its current nickname of "Orange" until 2004.}} football team prior to the opening of the Carrier Dome in 1980.

History

After organizing athletics events at various Star Parks around the city, the university wanted the center of athletics on campus, and created the Old Oval. The athletics program quickly outgrew the multi-purpose field and the Oval was no longer considered a suitable location for such events.{{cite web |title=Buildings: Old Oval |url=https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives/buildings/old-oval/ |website=Special Collections Research Center |publisher=Syracuse University Libraries |access-date=19 December 2022}}

The stadium was named for John D. Archbold, who donated $600,000 for the project.{{cite journal |title=John D. Archbold Gives University a Stadium |journal=Newsletters from University Archives |date=1 April 2005 |volume=4 |issue=1 |page=2 |url=https://surface.syr.edu/access/8/ |access-date=24 December 2022 |publisher=Syracuse University}}{{cite magazine |last1=Burton |first1=Rick |title=Alumni Journal: Archbold's Greatest Gift |magazine=Syracuse University Magazine |date=1 April 2011 |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=44–45 |url=https://surface.syr.edu/sumagazine/vol28/iss1/10/ |access-date=12 October 2021 |publisher=Syracuse University}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Cranmer |first1=Neil D. |title=Many Elmira Young Men Attend Syracuse University |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64200088/ |work=Star-Gazette |date=17 October 1907 |location=Elmira, New York |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Ground broke on construction of the stadium after funding announcement on May 1, 1905. The Consolidated Engineering & Construction Company of New York City began construction in August 1906 and most work was done by June 1908.{{sfn|Galpin|1960|p=276–279}} Upon its completion in 1907, Archbold Stadium was touted as the "Greatest Athletic Arena in America". The stadium displaced Harvard Stadium as the largest concrete stadium in the nation. At the time of its construction, it was one of only three concrete stadiums in the world.{{cite book |last1=Reid |first1=Robert J. |title=A Memorable Season in College Football: A Look Back at 1959 |date=3 October 2005 |publisher= Author House|isbn=978-1-4520-4033-2 |page=95 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h8f8uaGf8TUC&pg=PA95 |access-date=12 October 2021 |language=en}}

In the first game played at the stadium on September 25, 1907, the Orangemen beat rival Hobart by a score of 28-0. Syracuse went 265-112-20 all-time (from 1907 until 1978), and at times were nearly unbeatable. From 1915 to 1927, Syracuse achieved a remarkable home record of 61-10-6. Then, during the 11-year stretch from 1958 to 1968, the Orangemen won 47 and lost only 6 games played at Archbold Stadium.{{Cite web|url=http://cuse.com/sports/2011/9/28/TheLegendOfArchboldStadium.aspx|title=The Legend of Archbold Stadium|website=Syracuse University Athletics|language=en|access-date=2018-12-07}}

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

File:Syracuse-university 1919 archibald-stadium.jpg

File:Syracuse-university-1922 archibald-stadium west.jpg - Archbold Stadium - West entrance - 1922|202x202px]]

The stadium contained over 20,000 cubic yards of concrete over six acres, cost approximately $400,000 (≈$12 million in 2020 dollars) and was built in just over a year.{{cite news |last1=Searing |first1=Robert |title=In 1907, Syracuse University opens Archbold Stadium, called then the 'greatest athletic arena in America' |url=https://www.syracuse.com/living/2021/09/in-1907-syracuse-university-opens-archbold-stadium-called-then-the-greatest-athletic-arena-in-america.html |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=The Post-Standard |date=29 September 2021 |language=en}}

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 two turrets framing the gateway cement arch. There was originally a wooden roof over the central section of the south grandstands for the reserved seating.

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.{{cite web |last=Stefan |first=Robert |title=A History of Archbold Stadium |url=https://www.syrguide.com/guide/2013/03/27/archbold-stadium/ |website=SyrGuide |access-date=12 October 2021 |date=27 March 2013}}

Final years

Toward the end of the 1970s, Syracuse University was under pressure to improve its football facilities in order to remain a Division I-A football school. The stadium could not be expanded due to fire codes. It was closed following the 1978 season, and Syracuse University decided to build a new stadium on the former footprint of Archbold, which, appropriately for Syracuse's often cold weather, was to have a domed Teflon-coated, fiberglass inflatable roof. The new stadium was named Carrier Dome (now JMA Wireless Dome).

In the final game at Archbold Stadium, on November 11, 1978, the Orangemen defeated nationally ranked Navy, 20-17.{{cite news |last1=Searing |first1=Robert |title=SU football fans rush the field at the last game ever played at Archbold Stadium |url=https://www.syracuse.com/living/2021/11/su-football-fans-rush-the-field-at-the-last-game-ever-played-at-archbold-stadium.html |access-date=25 November 2021 |work=The Post-Standard |date=12 November 2021 |language=en}} A 2009 documentary titled [https://vimeo.com/6471911 Archbold Stadium: The Story of '78] captures the story of this game as told by the players, coaches, and fans.{{cite magazine |last1=Pitoniak |first1=Scott |title=Alumni Journal: Remembering Archbold Stadium |magazine=Syracuse University Magazine |date=Winter 2009 |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=45 |url=https://surface.syr.edu/sumagazine/vol26/iss3/10/ |access-date=23 March 2023 |publisher=Syracuse University}}{{cite video |last1=Brookes |first1=Gordon |title=Archbold Stadium, The Story of '78 |date=2009 |via= Vimeo |url=https://vimeo.com/6471911 |access-date=24 March 2023 |language=en}}{{cite thesis |last1=Brookes |first1=Gordon Christopher |title=Archbold Stadium The Story of '78 | type=Honors Capstone Projects |date=1 May 2009 |url=https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/425/ |access-date=24 March 2023 |publisher=Syracuse University}}

References

=Bibliography=

{{cite book |last1=Galpin |first1=William Freeman |title=Syracuse University: Volume II: The Growing Years |date=1 December 1960 |publisher=Syracuse University Press |location=Syracuse, N.Y. |isbn=978-0-8156-2011-2 |oclc=1109803877 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lt3qOwAACAAJ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129223727/https://books.google.com/books?id=lt3qOwAACAAJ |archive-date=29 January 2023 |access-date=29 January 2023 |language=en |url-status=bot: unknown }}

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20090215185554/http://archives.syr.edu/buildings/archbold_stadium.html Archbold Stadium - Syracuse University Archives]
[https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3804sm.g3804sm_g06296195101/?sp=49 Sanborn map showing the stadium, 1951]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}

{{succession box

| title = Home of
Syracuse Orange football

| years = 1905 – 1978

| before = Old Oval

| after = Carrier Dome

}}

Category:Sports venues in Syracuse, New York

Category:Defunct college football venues

Category:Demolished sports venues in New York (state)

Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States

Category:Syracuse Orange football venues