Archbold Stadium

Archbold Stadium

Location	Irving Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244
Coordinates	43°2′10″N 76°8′11″W
Owner	Syracuse University
Operator	Syracuse University
Capacity	30,000 (original)[3] 40,001 (maximum) 26,000 (final)
Construction
Broke ground	May 1, 1905[1]
Built	August 20, 1906[1]
Opened	September 25, 1907
Closed	November 11, 1978
Demolished	1979
Architect	Frederick Revels & Earl Hallenback[2]
Builder	Consolidated Engineering & Construction Company[1]
Project manager	Ivar Kreuger[1]
Tenants
1907-1978 Syracuse Orangemen

Archbold Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Syracuse, New York. It opened in 1907 and was home to the Syracuse Orangemen^[a] football team prior to the opening of the Carrier Dome in 1980.^[3][4]

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.^[5][6]

The stadium was named for John D. Archbold, who donated $600,000 for the project.^[6][7] 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.^[8]

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.^[9] 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.^[3] At the time of its construction, it was one of only three concrete stadiums in the world.^[10]

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.^[11]

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

Archbold Stadium in 1919.

The Syracuse University - Archbold Stadium - West entrance - 1922

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.^[3]

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.^[11]

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.^[4]

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.^[12] A 2009 documentary titled Archbold Stadium: The Story of '78 captures the story of this game as told by the players, coaches, and fans.^[13][14][15]

References

1. The school did not adopt its current nickname of "Orange" until 2004.

1. Galpin 1960, p. 278.
2. "School History". soa.syr.edu. Syracuse Architecture. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
3. Searing, Robert (29 September 2021). "In 1907, Syracuse University opens Archbold Stadium, called then the 'greatest athletic arena in America'". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
4. Stefan, Robert (27 March 2013). "A History of Archbold Stadium". SyrGuide. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
5. "Buildings: Old Oval". Special Collections Research Center. Syracuse University Libraries. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
6. "John D. Archbold Gives University a Stadium". Newsletters from University Archives. 4 (1). Syracuse University: 2. 1 April 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
7. Burton, Rick (1 April 2011). "Alumni Journal: Archbold's Greatest Gift". Syracuse University Magazine. Vol. 28, no. 1. Syracuse University. pp. 44–45. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
8. Cranmer, Neil D. (17 October 1907). "Many Elmira Young Men Attend Syracuse University". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Galpin 1960, p. 276–279.
10. Reid, Robert J. (3 October 2005). A Memorable Season in College Football: A Look Back at 1959. Author House. p. 95. ISBN 978-1-4520-4033-2. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
11. "The Legend of Archbold Stadium". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
12. Searing, Robert (12 November 2021). "SU football fans rush the field at the last game ever played at Archbold Stadium". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
13. Pitoniak, Scott (Winter 2009). "Alumni Journal: Remembering Archbold Stadium". Syracuse University Magazine. Vol. 26, no. 3. Syracuse University. p. 45. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
14. Brookes, Gordon (2009). Archbold Stadium, The Story of '78. Retrieved 24 March 2023 – via Vimeo.
15. Brookes, Gordon Christopher (1 May 2009). Archbold Stadium The Story of '78 (Honors Capstone Projects). Syracuse University. Retrieved 24 March 2023.

Bibliography

• Galpin, William Freeman (1 December 1960). Syracuse University: Volume II: The Growing Years. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press. ISBN 978-0-8156-2011-2. OCLC 1109803877. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

Further reading

• Syracuse University stadium by Consolidated Engineering & Construction Company, New York (1907)

External links

• Archbold Stadium - Syracuse University Archives
• Sanborn map showing the stadium, 1951

Events and tenants
Preceded by Old Oval	Home of Syracuse Orange football 1905 – 1978	Succeeded by Carrier Dome