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Delaware Stadium

Multi-purpose stadium in Newark, Delaware


Multi-purpose stadium in Newark, Delaware

FieldValue
nameDelaware Stadium
nicknameThe Tub
logo_imageDelaware Blue Hens wordmark.svg
logo_size100
imageUniversity of Delaware Stadium, Morning of September 14th 2025 (Vertical).png
captionDelaware Stadium in 2025
typeStadium
current_useFootball
Lacrosse
addressSouth College Avenue 19716
cityNewark, DE
countryUnited States
broke_groundAugust 3, 1951
opened
expanded1964, 1970, 1972, 1975
renovated1993, 2019
ownerUniversity of Delaware
operatorUniv. of Delaware Athletics
surfaceFieldTurf
construction_cost$182,000
($ in dollars)
tenants{{plainlist
seating_capacity18,500 (2020–present)
* 22,000 (1998–2018)<ref name"22,000 Capacity"
public_transitDART First State bus: 16, 33, 46, 302
website

Lacrosse ($ in dollars)

  • Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (NCAA)
  • Football (1952–present)
  • Men's and women's lacrosse (2010–present) Former capacity: {{collapsible list|
  • 16,730 (2019)
  • 22,000 (1998–2018)
  • 23,000 (1979–1998)
  • 21,500 (1970–1978)
  • 13,500 (1964–1969)
  • 10,000 (1958–1963)
  • 9,000 (1952–1957) Delaware Stadium is an 18,500-seat stadium in Newark, Delaware, and is home to the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football and men's and women's lacrosse teams. The stadium is part of the David M. Nelson Athletic Complex, which includes the Bob Carpenter Center, Fred P. Rullo Stadium, the Fred Rust Ice Arena and the Delaware Field House.

History

Delaware Stadium opened on November 15, 1952, with the Blue Hens defeating Lafayette 13–12. Delaware Stadium has expanded with the growth of the university, with seating expansions in 1964, 1970, 1972, and 1975. Upgrades to the seating and facilities were made in 1992–93, along with a resurfacing of the field and reconstruction of the drainage and irrigation systems. Prior to the 2000 season, the university installed permanent lighting at the stadium, consisting of eight stanchions casting broadcast quality light. The first night game in Delaware Stadium history was played against The Citadel on September 9, 2000, with 22,075 in attendance.

The Blue Hens once were among the attendance leaders in I-AA/FCS for over 30 years, with a fan base as loyal as those of major FBS teams. For a typical Blue Hen home game, Delaware Stadium becomes the fourth-largest city in the state (behind Wilmington, Dover and Newark itself). Average attendance for the 2022 season was 16,902 which was 8th in the FCS, and in 2023 season it was 15,656 which was 10th in the FCS. Average attendance for the 2006 season was 21,825; second only to the University of Montana. By comparison, most FCS teams attract 10,000 on a good day. Delaware is the only NCAA FCS team in the nation to average 20,000 or more fans per regular season home game from 1999 to 2010. The largest Delaware Stadium crowd was the standing-room only crowd of 23,719 that watched the Blue Hens host Temple, October 27, 1973.

On August 29, 2002, the field was dedicated as Tubby Raymond Field, in honor of longtime Blue Hen Football coach Harold "Tubby" Raymond.

The stadium has hosted the Division I NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1984 and 1986, and two NCAA men's lacrosse tournament first-round games in May 2002.

Renovations

The stadium underwent another renovation in mid-2008 with the addition of a 42 ft HD video board and a high-fidelity, 20 kilowatt audio system. A video control room was added inside the Bob Carpenter Center.

From December 2009 to January 2010 the grass field was replaced with new FieldTurf artificial surface.

The stands underwent more improvements in the summer of 2011. Hand rails were added along each aisle of the east and west grandstands.

Present day

The "Cockpit" is the nickname of the University of Delaware's student section at home football games located behind the south end zone. At 18,500, Delaware Stadium has the second largest seating capacity in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), behind North Carolina A&T's Truist Stadium.

Delaware Stadium is also the venue for the annual commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors and graduate students in May.

On June 6, 2010, plans for stadium renovations were unveiled by University President Patrick Harker. The new plans unveiled include adding luxury suites to the stadium, an additional 8,200 seats overall (which would have increased seating to over 30,000 seats), a 96000 sqft performance center, a club lounge, and new facilities for TV and radio. However, these plans never materialized.

A north view of Delaware Stadium and the stands.

In November 2018, it was announced that, as part of a $60 million campaign, a new athletic training center would be built and Delaware Stadium would be renovated. Improvements to the stadium will include upgrading the west (home) stands (including more chair-back seating), a new press box and enhanced restrooms and concessions. Construction on this project is currently in progress. The new seating areas were completed on time for the Delaware season opener August 29, 2019; however the press box, club level, and concessions were not. Temporary press boxes were built on the east stands for use during the entire 2019 season, along with temporary restroom and concession facilities. The Stadium renovations and Whitney Athletic center have been completed as of December 2020. A new video board was installed for the 2023 season. Delaware is expected to soon announce a fund-raising project to construct an $80 million building with offices and indoor practice facilities at the north end of Delaware Stadium instead of a previously planned Field House restoration.

Attendance records

Delaware Fightin' Blue Henscolor=white}};"RankDelaware Fightin' Blue Henscolor=white}};"AttendanceDelaware Fightin' Blue Henscolor=white}};"DateDelaware Fightin' Blue Henscolor=white}};"Game result12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
23,619October 27, 1973Blue Hens 8, Temple 31
23,110September 9, 1985Blue Hens 16, Navy 13
23,100November 14, 1987Blue Hens 22, Navy 31
23,045October 18, 1986Blue Hens 18, William & Mary 22
23,019November 19, 1977Blue Hens 21, Colgate 3
22,911November 7, 1992Blue Hens 33, Connecticut 7
22,891November 20, 2010Blue Hens 21, Villanova 28 (OT)
22,805October 28, 1989Blue Hens 35, Maine 28
22,784October 3, 1981Blue Hens 21, Lehigh 24
22,782September 11, 2004Blue Hens 21, Towson 17
22,727September 2, 2004Blue Hens 21, New Hampshire 24
22,680November 1, 1980Blue Hens 17, Villanova 7
22,648November 18, 1972Blue Hens 20, Bucknell 3
22,601November 2, 1991Blue Hens 34, Maine 10
22,582October 30, 1971Blue Hens 27, Temple 32
22,576October 16, 2010Blue Hens 24, Rhode Island 17
22,555October 18, 1980Blue Hens 7, Northern Michigan 22
22,537September 10, 2005Blue Hens 34, Lehigh 33
22,495September 8, 2007Blue Hens 41, West Chester 14
22,379September 19, 1981Blue Hens 13, Temple 7
22,331September 17, 2005Blue Hens 42, West Chester 21
22,329September 9, 2006Blue Hens 30, West Chester 7
22,304October 5, 1991Blue Hens 28, New Hampshire 45
22,301October 22, 1988Blue Hens 10, Massachusetts 7
22,293October 28, 1995Blue Hens 61, Maine 0

Delaware football records at Delaware Stadium

Delaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#ffffff}}"YearDelaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#ffffff}}"WinDelaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#ffffff}}"LossDelaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#ffffff}}"TieDelaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#ffffff}}"Win %
1952100
1953410
1954500
1955410
1956321
1957220
1958320
1959400
1960140
1961310
1962410
1963400
1964320
1965310
1966400
1967140
1968500
1969510
1970510
1971510
1972600
1973510
1974800
1975530
1976521
1977511
1978900
1979810
1980610
1981520
1982800
1983260
1984710
1985520
1986430
1987330
1988330
1989420
1990420
1991420
1992620
1993610
1994411
1995700
1996600
1997620
1998510
1999420
2000720
2001230
2002510
20031000
2004610
2005420
2006340
2007610
2008330
2009420
2010910
2011510
2012430
2013520
2014430
2015330
2016230
2017510
2018420
2019430
2020300
2021420
2022610
2023520
2024700
Delaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#000066}}"TotalDelaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#000066}}"339–114–4Delaware Fightin' Blue Hensborder=1color=#000066}}"****

References

References

  1. (July 6, 1952). "Steel Slowdown Hampers Work on New Stadium at Delaware". The Sunday Star.
  2. "Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium".
  3. (November 16, 2009). "2009 University of Delaware Football Game Notes #11". bluehens.com.
  4. "University of Delaware Athletic Fund". University of Delaware.
  5. "University of Delaware Athletic Fund". University of Delaware.
  6. Shannon, Josh. (June 11, 2010). "Harker Unveils Plans for Renovated Stadium, New East Campus Housing". University of Delaware.
  7. (2018-11-17). "Transforming UD Athletics". University of Delaware.
  8. (2022-08-16). "Delaware Athletics Video Board delayed until after fall season". University of Delaware.
  9. (2022-08-16). "Hen Scratch". Delaware News Journal.
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