Chad Richison Stadium
{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Chad Richison Stadium
| nickname =
| image =
| location = Edmond, Oklahoma
| broke_ground =
| opened = September 18, 1965
| renovated = 2005, 2022
| owner = University of Central Oklahoma
| operator = University of Central Oklahoma
| surface = Field Turf
| construction_cost =
| architect = CDFM2 (now 360 Architecture) for 2005 renovations
| former_names = Wantland Stadium (1965–2021)
| tenants = Central Oklahoma Bronchos (NCAA) (1965–present)
Memorial Bulldogs (OSSAA) (1965–
2016)
Santa Fe Wolves (OSSAA) (1993–2015)
Ed. North Huskies (OSSAA) (1994–2016)
| seating_capacity = 12,000
}}
Chad Richison Stadium (formerly Wantland Stadium) is the on-campus football facility for the Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team in Edmond, Oklahoma. The official seating capacity of the stadium, following recent renovations, is 12,000, making the 7th largest Division II stadium, and the largest in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.{{cite web |title=Wantland Stadium|url=http://www.bronchosports.com/documents/2009/7/27/Wantland%20Stadium.pdf|publisher=University of Central Oklahoma Athletics|date=July 27, 2009|accessdate=November 26, 2009}}
History
The stadium opened in 1965, and was originally named Wantland Stadium after former Broncho head coach Charles W. Wantland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.purcellsportshof.com/class-1/charles-wantland|title=Hall of Fame-Charles Wantland|publisher=Purcell Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=July 15, 2023}} The Stadium also hosted the 1982 NAIA Championship Game. The Bronchos played against Mesa State. The Bronchos clinched their 2nd crown winning 14–11, in front of a national audience on the USA Network.{{cite web |title=Wantland Stadium|url=http://www.bronchosports.com/sports/2011/6/10/FB_0610111744.aspx?path=football|publisher=University of Central Oklahoma Athletics|accessdate=November 7, 2014}}
Artificial turf, new lighting and a new scoreboard were added to the facility in 2003.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2003/02/03/beauty-is-inside-the-beastbraged-wantland-intrigues-mls/62059821007/|title=Beauty is inside the beast Aged Wantland intrigues MLS|last=Ojeda|first=Francisco|publisher=The Oklahoman|date=February 3, 2003|access-date=July 15, 2023}} Chad Richison Stadium underwent a dramatic facelift in the summer of 2005 with the addition of a three-level press box that includes club seating and new stands on both sides of the field. In 2014 a new videoboard was installed.{{cite web |title=Wantland Stadium|url=http://www.bronchosports.com/sports/2011/6/10/FB_0610111744.aspx?path=football|publisher=University of Central Oklahoma Athletics|accessdate=November 7, 2014}}
Chad Richison Stadium was the home field for all three Edmond high school teams, Memorial, Santa Fe, and North. Edmond Public Schools leased the facility from UCO for $7,252 per game. As part of the lease EPS collected all revenue from ticket sales, and concessions.{{cite news | url=http://newsok.com/high-schools-edmond-high-schools-hope-to-play-football-on-campus/article/5367757/?page=1 | title=High schools: Edmond high schools hope to play football on campus | work=newsok.com | publisher = The Oklahoman | accessdate=2015-02-10}} In February 2015, voters passed a $91 million bond issue which included expansion of a football field near Santa Fe High School.{{cite web |title=Edmond School District's $90.6 million bond issue passes easily|url=http://www.edmondsun.com/news/edmond-school-district-s-million-bond-issue-passes-easily/article_f1faae22-b1a5-11e4-be1d-cfce8d53c3e7.html|publisher=Edmond Sun|accessdate=April 2, 2015}} Later that year, Edmond Santa Fe opened their football stadium and the other EPS schools shifted their games to on-campus stadiums.
In 2017, the university began construction of a 45,000 square foot sports performance center located along the north end zone.{{cite news | url=http://newsok.com/article/5546297 | title=Oklahoma Scene: 2017 UCO football schedule released | work=newsok.com | publisher = The Oklahoman |date=April 20, 2017 | accessdate=April 21, 2017}} The Sports Performance Center opened during the 2018 season.
During the 2021 season after a $10 million donation from Paycom CEO and former Broncho wrestler Chad Richison, the university renamed the structure Chad Richison Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://bronchosports.com/news/2021/10/20/uco-renames-football-facility-chad-richison-stadium.aspx|title=UCO Renames Football Facility Chad Richison Stadium|publisher=Bronchosports.com|last=Brannick|first=Chris|access-date=October 21, 2021|date=October 20, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.koco.com/article/uco-to-rename-football-facility-as-chad-richison-stadium/38012330|publisher=KOCO|title=UCO to rename football facility as Chad Richison Stadium, unveils extensive stadium improvements|access-date=October 21, 2021|date=October 20, 2021}}
Structure and facilities
The stadium is a dual sided with a grass berm that imitates a horseshoe-shaped facility with its long axis oriented north/south, with the south end enclosed by grass and the north end bounded by the Sports Performance Center. Visitor seating is on the east sideline. The student seating sections are in Section 102 located in the west stands on the south side, next to the UCO Stampede of Sound which is near the south goal line.{{cite web |title=Wantland Stadium Map|url=http://www.bronchosports.com/documents/2013/7/25/Stadium_Seat_Chart.pdf?id=2997| format = PDF|publisher=University of Central Oklahoma Athletics|date=July 25, 2013|accessdate=November 7, 2014}} The Bronchos' bench is also located along the west side.[http://www.d2football.com/stadiums/centraloklahoma/t36/ Central Oklahoma Wantland Stadium] at d2football.com
The most recent renovation expanded the visitors grandstand and replaced a staircase behind the south end zone with a waterfall.{{cite web|url=https://kfor.com/sports/chad-richison-donates-10-million-to-uco-athletics/|title=Chad Richison Donates $10 Million to UCO Athletics|publisher=KFOR|date=October 20, 2021|access-date=July 15, 2023}}
Events
UCO has hosted the Oklahoma All-State Football Game in the facility six times since 1994. The stadium also hosts the annual UCO Stampede of Sound's Invitational Marching Band Contest. It also has hosted the class 6A Oklahoma Bandmaster's Association (OBA) Marching Contest several times. The stadium hosted a preseason Major League Soccer game in 2003 between the Kansas City Wizards and the Columbus Crew, and in 2004 between the Wizards and the Dallas Burn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/wizards-fall-to-crew-1-2-in-exhibition-game/n-1989769|title=Wizards Fall To Crew 1–2 in Exhibition Game|publisher=Our Sports Central|date=March 29, 2003|access-date=July 15, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2006/02/16/major-league-soccerbrmls-returning-with-exhibition-game-in-march/61900670007/|title=Major League Soccer MLS returning with exhibition game in March|publisher=The Oklahoman|last=Ojeda|first=Francisco|date=February 16, 2006|access-date=July 15, 2023}} In 2016, the stadium hosted the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) Class 5A football championship game.{{cite news |last=Unruh |first=Jacob | url=http://newsok.com/article/5529504 | title=Carl Albert fends off Bishop McGuinness for Class 5A state title | work=newsok.com | publisher = The Oklahoman |date=December 3, 2016 | accessdate=April 21, 2017}}
Since 2019, Chad Richison Stadium has been the host stadium for all the OSSAA 11 man football state championship games. The stadium is expected to host the games through the 2027 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news9.com/story/5e346d50527dcf49dad6d95d/uco-to-host-state-high-school-football-championship-games|title=UCO to host State High School Football Championship Games|publisher=KWTV|date=November 14, 2019|access-date=July 15, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2023/02/08/oklahoma-high-school-football-uco-will-remain-host-11-man-state-title-games/69886222007/|title=UCO will remain host for Oklahoma high school football 11-man state title games|publisher=The Oklahoman|last=Hart|first=Hallie|date=February 8, 2023|access-date=July 15, 2023}}
Attendance records
The following are the largest crowds for UCO football in the history of the stadium.{{cite web|url=https://bronchosports.com/documents/2022/7/25/2022_UCO_Football_Media_Guide.pdf|title=2022 UCO Football Media Guide |work=University of Central Oklahoma athletics|access-date=July 22, 2023|page=8}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||
| {{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Central Oklahoma Bronchos|Rank|Date|Attendance|Opponent|Result|border=2}} | ||||
| T–1 | October 9, 1965 | 10,000 | Southwestern Oklahoma State | W 34–13 |
| T–1 | September 29, 1973 | 10,000 | Langston | L 3–27 |
| 3 | October 4, 1975 | 9,500 | Langston | W 22–6 |
| 4 | October 28, 1978 | 9,200 | Cameron | W 39–21 |
| 5 | September. 15, 1979 | 9,000 | Southwestern Oklahoma State | W 35–14 |
| T–6 | October 31, 1970 | 8,500 | Oklahoma Panhandle State | W 35–14 |
| T–6 | October 18, 1975 | 8,500 | Cameron | L 21–37 |
| 8 | August 28, 2010 | 8,425 | Pittsburg State | L 20–31 |
| 9 | September 28, 1996 | 8,335 | Langston | W 39–20 |
| 10 | September 24, 1994 | 8,226 | Langston | W 38–10 |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{University of Central Oklahoma}}
{{Central Oklahoma Bronchos football navbox}}
{{Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football venue navbox}}
{{Oklahoma college football venues}}
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Category:College football venues in Oklahoma
Category:Buildings and structures in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Category:1965 establishments in Oklahoma