Tucker Stadium

Tucker Stadium
Tucker Stadium in 2007
Map
Location1105 N Peachtree Ave
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
OwnerTennessee Tech
OperatorTennessee Tech
Capacity16,500
SurfaceStadia Turf
Construction
Broke ground1965
Opened1966
Tenants
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (NCAA) (1966–present)

Tucker Stadium is a 16,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Cookeville, Tennessee.[1] It is home to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles football team, and is named for former coach Wilburn Tucker. The football field is named Overall Field in honor of former coach and administrator P. V. Overall.

Tucker Stadium hosted the TSSAA high school football state championships between 2009 and 2020.[2]

History

Construction on the stadium began in 1965, and was completed in time for the following year's football season.[3][4] The first Golden Eagles football game at the stadium was played on September 24, 1966, against the Chattanooga Mocs.[5][6]

In October 1980, during Tennessee Tech's Homecoming celebration, the stadium was officially renamed Tucker Stadium, in honor of former Tennessee Tech football coach Wilburn Tucker.[7] Tennessee Tech hosted a viewing party at Tucker Stadium, to watch the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse which was viewable in totality on this day.[8]

Renovations

Artificial turf was first installed on the football field in 1970.[9] In 2007, Tucker Stadium received upgrades to its playing field with the installation of new artificial turf, as well as renovations and a new surface to the nine-lane track.[10] Upgraded lighting systems were added to the stadium in 2008.[10] In 2009, additional facility upgrades were performed on the press box.[10] Prior to the 2018 football season, a new, large video scoreboard was installed.[11]

In November 2021, it was announced that the west side of Tucker Stadium would be demolished and replaced with a new west side featuring all premium seating, suites, and club level seats. The project was estimated to cost $30 million.[12] Demolition of the west side of the stadium began in August 2024.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tucker Stadium-Cookeville, TN". stadiumjourney.com. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
  2. ^ "https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/high-school/2021/03/16/tssaa-high-school-football-championship-games-moved-chattanooga/4697929001/
  3. ^ Corhern, Thomas (July 19, 2023). "Stadium construction outlined at Tech Football Alumni Reunion". Tennessee Tech. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Corhern, Thomas. "COLLEGE FOOTBALL 150: Looking back at Tennessee Tech football's history". Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Tucker Stadium: Home of Golden Eagles Football," TTUSports.com. Accessed: 1 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Chattanooga vs. Tech, 1966-09-24". Tennessee Tech Archives and Special Collections. Tennessee Tech. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "Stadium - inside and shot from building". dp.la. Digital Public Library of America. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  8. ^ https://www.youtube.com Eclipse Across America (Cookeville, TN: 0:55).
  9. ^ Corhern, Thomas (June 10, 2021). "Tucker Stadium turf project underway". Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Tucker Stadium: Home of Golden Eagle Football". TTUSports.com. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  11. ^ "Tennessee Tech adds Daktronics LED displays and sound system at Tucker Stadium". Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech. August 28, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "Tech announces new construction, upgrades to football facilities". Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech. November 11, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  13. ^ Corhern, Thomas (September 5, 2024). "Tucker Stadium westside demolition underway". Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech. Retrieved September 5, 2024.

36°10′41″N 85°30′22″W / 36.178085°N 85.506169°W / 36.178085; -85.506169

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