Stagg Memorial Stadium

Stockton

Location in the United States

Stockton

Location in California

Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium, previously known as Pacific Memorial Stadium, was a 28,000-seat outdoor multi-purpose stadium in the western United States, located on the campus of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. The home venue of the Pacific Tigers was constructed in 1950 for football and later hosted women's soccer; it was closed in 2012 and demolished two years later.

Construction

Pacific Memorial Stadium was built 68 years ago in 1950 after the successful fund drive which netted $165,000. Most of this money was through the sale of pre-ordered tickets (scrip), which were usable over a 10-year period. Construction began on the earth-filled structure in May 1950. Astonishingly, it was finished on time for the home opener (fifth game of the season) on October 21, a build time of less than six months.

The stadium originally seated 35,975 with room for expansion to over 44,000, but renovations reduced the capacity to a configuration of 28,000. It was the venue for a 1997 friendly match between the Brazil National Football Team and the Honduras National Football Team. Notably Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima commonly or simply known as Ronaldo, scored 6 goals as Brazil ran out 8–2 winners.

Upgrades

The Pacific Club, which was added to the east-side of the stadium in 1973, was donated by Alex Spanos at a cost of $250,000. It sat up to 300, featuring glass walls and a great view of the stadium. When not in use for sporting events, it also held many university functions and gatherings. The scoreboard in the north end zone was erected in 1982 at a cost of $140,000 and measured 35 by 17 feet (10.7 by 5.2 m).

Thanks to donations from athletic boosters, lighting power at the stadium was upgraded from 35 to 75 footcandles in August 1986.

Renaming

Pacific Memorial Stadium was officially renamed in 1988, to Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium on October 15, to honor Amos Alonzo Stagg. He ended his coaching career at "College of the Pacific" in 1946 and donated the land for the stadium to be built in 1950. Stagg is widely regarded as a pioneer in the development of sport, not only in football, but also in basketball and baseball.

Closure

On February 26, 2012, the university announced it would close Stagg Memorial Stadium to conduct a feasibility study to assess needed repairs, upgrades and changes required to make the facility meet modern standards in conjunction with a financial assessment to determine if the stadium could be repaired or if it should be replaced.^[1]

Demolition

The university began removal of Stagg Memorial Stadium on February 24, 2014, to make room for new athletics facilities, including a dedicated tennis center with 12 courts and a clubhouse, and new fields for soccer and field hockey.^[2] The first Pacific field hockey home game on the new turf field at University of the Pacific was played on September 12, 2014 versus the University of Albany.^[3] The groundbreaking ceremony for the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center was held on October 17, 2014.^[4]

Tenants

The stadium was home to the Pacific Tigers football program, beginning in 1950, until it was discontinued following the 1995 season. For many years it was also the home football field for nearby Stagg High School. The stadium was the sole home to the women's soccer team until its closure in 2012.

References