Michigan Stadium: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:28, 13 December 2005

Revision as of 01:57, 18 December 2005

Line 21:

Michigan Stadium's immense size is not entirely apparent to ground-level observers, as it is constructed partially into the ground, leaving only the upper 20 rows (in most sections) visible from the outside. The stadium's original capacity was 72,000, but then-athletic director [[Fielding Yost]] made certain to install steel footings that could allow for massive expansion; some believe that these footings can support up to 150,000 spectators if needed. Initially, all seating consisted of wood bleachers. These were replaced with permanent metal seating in 1949 by Crisler, who had become athletic director. The stadium has been dubbed "The Hole that Yost dug, Crisler built, [[Don Canham|Canham]] carpeted, and [[Bo Schembechler|Schembechler]] filled." Since 1975 - Bo Schembechler's seventh season as coach - the stadium has held over 100,000 fans for every home game, a string of nearly 200 contests.

From 1927 to 1968, the stadium's field was covered in natural grass. This was replaced with [[AstroTurfTartanTurf]] in 1969 to give players better traction. However, this surface was thought to be unforgiving on players' joints, and the stadium returned to natural turf in 1991. This too became problematic, as the field's below-surface ___location near the water table made it difficult for grass to permanently take root. The field was converted to [[FieldTurf]], an artificial surface that was designed to give grass-like playing characteristics, in 2003.

The stadium is undergoing a [[renovation]] and expansion project, which is expected to be completed by [[2008]]. This will include replacement of all bleachers, widening of individual seats, the addition of [[Luxury box|luxury boxes]] on the east side of the stadium, expansion of the press box, and the addition of upper-deck seating at one or both end zones. The stadium's official capacity at the conclusion of this project is yet to be determined.