View Full Version : Texas Stadiums
I put this list of Texas high school stadiums together. It's not complete and not in any particular order. Enjoy.
Home of Euless Trinity.
http://www.farscapefantasy.com/Pennington/1.jpg
http://www.cfisd.net/bond/esc/esc3.jpg
http://www.cfisd.net/bond/esc/ESC%20with%20stadium.jpg
(Stadium seats 11,000. Basketball arena seats 10,000.)
This school district has two nice stadiums.
http://www.mesquiteisd.org/departments/stadiuminfo.html
Check out the gallary:
http://www.wacoisd.org/sports_geninformation.php#
My personal favorite 5 mins from my house (Southlake Carroll):
http://www.shwsports.com/big/sp6_2.jpg
http://www.leaguelineup.com/photoalbum.asp?cmenuid=15&url=04dragonsfootball&sid=661137574
http://www.mansfieldisd.org/multimedia/StadiumOpening-web/index.htm
http://www.wacoisd.org/sports_geninformation.php
From "Friday Night Lights". Seats almost 20,000.
http://www.kylgrafx.com/ratliff051.htm
http://www.odessahistory.com/ratlifst.jpg
http://www.flexicoreoftexas.com/pix/5_02/stadium2.jpg
http://www.fields-arch.com/images/chap_1.jpg
http://www.fields-arch.com/images/chap_2.jpg
Home of Midland and Midland Lee. Most of the seats have backs and arm rests.
http://www.kylgrafx.com/rebs/grandecomm.htm
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/texas/midland_grande.shtml
This is a great stadium but there is only about 15 feet between the stands and the sideline. Not enough room for the teams. (click on the picture to see how close the seats are to the field)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._H._Collins_Athletic_Complex
This stadium has the most amenities of any high school stadium in the nation. It was built for the Dallas MLS soccer team but is about 80% owned by the city. The high schools play football there. It seats 20,000.
http://www.mlsnet.com/images/2004/08/06/ARbslRcx.gif
The Thirteen Largest High School Football Stadiums in Texas
Name City Seating Capacity
1. Alamo Stadium San Antonio 23,000
2. Pizza Hut Park Frisco 21,193
3. Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Canyon 20,000
4. Mesquite Memorial Stadium Mesquite 20,000
5. Jesse Owens Stadium Dallas 20,000
6. Ratliff Stadium Odessa 19,302
7. Farrington Field Fort Worth 18,500
8. Buccaneer Stadium Corpus Christi 18,000
9. Ozen - Lamar Cardinal Stadium Beaumont 17,500
10. San Angelo Stadium San Angelo 17,500
11. Memorial Stadium Wichita Falls 17,000
12. Pasadena Memorial Pasadena 16,800
13. Stallworth Stadium Baytown 16,500
About 100+ stadiums seat 10,000 or more. Most of the new stadiums seat 12,000-13,000.
RidgePride
05-02-07, 05:27 PM
Had to bring it over from 5A texas football
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q177/Nickjh06/MISDstadium160.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q177/Nickjh06/MISDstadium115.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q177/Nickjh06/MISDstadium081.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q177/Nickjh06/MISDstadium344.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q177/Nickjh06/MISDstadium434.jpg
Cincy guy
05-02-07, 07:44 PM
Thats very impressive stuff.
Bordertown
05-02-07, 08:11 PM
While I know Frisco plays at Pizza Hut Park, I don't think it qualifies as a high school stadium. It was built for FC Dallas and is primarily a soccer stadium (like Crew Stadium in Columbus).
E-L-D-E-R 09
05-02-07, 08:36 PM
That first one with the upper deck is unreal.
E-L-D-E-R 09
05-02-07, 08:39 PM
I can't beilieve one of them has luxury suites too!
BTW SLC, alot of your links don't work
RidgePride
05-02-07, 08:41 PM
Birdville stadium has a jumbotron as well. I went to a playoff game of Trinity vs Lamar and they had instant replay after every play.
Anyway, I think The Berry Center is nice
http://www.cfisd.net/bond/esc_photos.htm
E-L-D-E-R 09
05-02-07, 08:59 PM
Wow
Wacolionbacker isn't alone. Now he's got friends posting this stuff.
I can't beilieve one of them has luxury suites too!
BTW SLC, alot of your links don't work
Most of the big press boxes that you see have a couple of luxury boxes inside. In SLC's case there are two luxury boxes. One box is used by the school district for guests and other important people. I'm not sure how they use the 2nd one but it's been raffled off as a fund raiser a couple of times.
Sorry about the links. They all worked when I first did the post. I think it's because I linked directly to the picture rather than through the websites. I'll see if I can fix.
Texas High School Football Stadiums with Video Capability. Not sure if this list is complete because new stuff is being built or added all the time.
Name City Seating Capacity
Abe Martin Stadium Lufkin 10,000
Berry Center Stadium Cypress 11,000
Birdville Stadium 12,500
Bobby Lackey Stadium Weslaco 8,500
Bobby Morrow Stadium San Benito 12,000
Bulldog Stadium Copperas Cove 10,500
Chaparral Stadium Austin 10,361
C. H. Collins Athletic Complex Denton 12,000
Clyde Abshire Stadium Deer Park 10,000
Dick Bivins Stadium Amarillo 15,000
Galena Park ISD Stadium Houston 10,300
Gordon Wood Stadium Brownwood 7,800
Grande Communications Stadium Midland 15,000
John Kincaide Stadium Dallas 15,000
J. Lewis Boggus Stadium Harlingen 15,000
MISD Stadium Mansfield 11,134
Midlothian ISD Stadium Midlothian 8,176
Pioneer Stadium (Boswell) Saginaw 7,000
Pizza Hut Park Frisco 21,193
Pridgeon Stadium Houston 11,000
Ratliff Stadium Odessa 19,302
Round Rock Stadium Round Rock 11,000
Stallworth Stadium Baytown 16,500
Texan Stadium Justin 9,500
Tiger Stadium Corsicana 10,001
Waco ISD Stadium Waco 11,500
Wildcat Stadium Temple 11,500
While I know Frisco plays at Pizza Hut Park, I don't think it qualifies as a high school stadium. It was built for FC Dallas and is primarily a soccer stadium (like Crew Stadium in Columbus).
Yes, true. I included it because it is about 80% owned by the town of Frisco. They essentially own the stadium and their high schools use it. It is totally designed for soccer, however, there are still 12,000 really good seats for football.
By the way, before Pizza Hut Park was built, FC Dallas (they were called the Dallas Burn then) used SLC's Dragon Stadium for a couple of years.
Chicago
05-03-07, 07:55 AM
I scrolled down and ended up with RidgePride's last two pictures on the screen at once.
When I first looked at it, I was thinking "Wow, that's a big scoreboard, even for Texas."
Then I realized it was two pictures.
Thanks for the pics, the facilities are great....I do have a question though. Why do all the stadiums have so many seats when they only look half full in all the pictures I saw?
Thanks for the pics, the facilities are great....I do have a question though. Why do all the stadiums have so many seats when they only look half full in all the pictures I saw?
There is a myth out there that every HS game in Texas is at capacity. Simply not true. Many of these stadiums are probably packed week in and week out, Dragon Stadium comes to mind.
Others are not so highly attended, Jesse Owens stadium in Dallas comes to mind.
Most of the stadiums are built with the top level in mind and hosting other events, namely playoff games. I imagine the Jesse Owens complex has been at close to capcity many times, including track and field events/etc.
Personally the newer stadiums look alike and are not real appealing. They offer some great benefits, but they also offer a lot of cement.
My favorites in the DFW area:
Pennington Field(probably the oldest of the "new" stadiums
Lake Highlands Wildcat/Ram, or "The Boneyard"
RidgePride
05-03-07, 10:57 AM
Thanks for the pics, the facilities are great....I do have a question though. Why do all the stadiums have so many seats when they only look half full in all the pictures I saw?
Not all stadiums are packed to capacity every Friday. It is idiocy to claim or expect that to be the case.
Thanks for the pics, the facilities are great....I do have a question though. Why do all the stadiums have so many seats when they only look half full in all the pictures I saw?
Most of the top programs draw about 10,000 per game or more. SLC is a good example of that and they would probably draw more if the stadium was larger. SLC's away games also produce full stadiums in most cases.
Lufkin's stadium seats about 10,000 and they fill it every week. There is a constant complaint from the visitors about so many home fans sitting on the visitor side.
Many of the stadiums are shared by 2 or more schools. When these teams play each other the stadiums are often overflowing.
The largest stadiums like the 20K Jesse Owens stadium that Pied mentions are rarely full during the season. That stadium was built by the Dallas school district which has many high schools. Any of them could play there.
Frankly, I really wish Dragon Stadium was larger. It's a real pain to have to get there 1 hour or more early just to get a seat. I'd welcome a stadium that was only 3/4 full each week. THAT would be nice. (Also, I'm to cheap to pay $600 four season tickets.)
Most of those stadiums ARE full some of the time, but not every game.
Birdville stadium has a jumbotron as well. I went to a playoff game of Trinity vs Lamar and they had instant replay after every play.
Anyway, I think The Berry Center is nice
http://www.cfisd.net/bond/esc_photos.htm
Most people ask how any school district can afford facilities like the Berry Center. The cost was around $70 million. The school district had passed bonds for a separate auditorium, basketball arena, football stadium and some other stuff. They decided to build them all together in one location. They can share land, parking, and the buildings are cheaper when they are combined. I think some of the athletic rooms like dressing rooms are shared between football and basketball. As it turned out they actually had more money approved by the voters than they needed for basic facilities. They went ahead and spent all of the money anyway and just made the facilities that much nicer. The center is shared by a couple of high schools. The stadium looks huge but it seats less than 11,000.
Not all stadiums are packed to capacity every Friday. It is idiocy to claim or expect that to be the case.
I didn't claim or expect it to be full every game. I simply thought it would be nice to see ONE of those stadiums packed on both sides like this.
http://eldersports.tripod.com/FootballArchives/index.htm
Most of the top programs draw about 10,000 per game or more. SLC is a good example of that and they would probably draw more if the stadium was larger. SLC's away games also produce full stadiums in most cases.
Lufkin's stadium seats about 10,000 and they fill it every week. There is a constant complaint from the visitors about so many home fans sitting on the visitor side.
Many of the stadiums are shared by 2 or more schools. When these teams play each other the stadiums are often overflowing.
The largest stadiums like the 20K Jesse Owens stadium that Pied mentions are rarely full during the season. That stadium was built by the Dallas school district which has many high schools. Any of them could play there.
Frankly, I really wish Dragon Stadium was larger. It's a real pain to have to get there 1 hour or more early just to get a seat. I'd welcome a stadium that was only 3/4 full each week. THAT would be nice. (Also, I'm to cheap to pay $600 four season tickets.)
Most of those stadiums ARE full some of the time, but not every game.
Thanks for the good reply! I gues Texas is a lot like Ohio in the attendence figures for a high profile game (10k +). Using those facilities and having multiple schools playing in them makes a lot of sence to me. in cincy we have a very nice football/track and field stadium for all the Cincy Public School teams. It's not that big because the Cincy Public Schools don't draw any fans and it's in a bad area of town. It's by Taft High School.
I didn't claim or expect it to be full every game. I simply thought it would be nice to see ONE of those stadiums packed on both sides like this.
http://eldersports.tripod.com/FootballArchives/index.htm
You mean like this? SLC vs Trinity, November 2006. (That last picture is Dieon Sanders.)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shellyharris@sbcglobal.net/slideshow?.dir=/df87re2&.src=ph
WoodyHayes
05-03-07, 06:55 PM
And The High School Football Stadiums. I Love This Place.
RidgePride
05-03-07, 06:55 PM
You mean like this? SLC vs Trinity, November 2006. (That last picture is Dieon Sanders.)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shellyharris@sbcglobal.net/slideshow?.dir=/df87re2&.src=ph
Stadium holds what 66,ooo? It was 90% full
WrongPerson
05-03-07, 10:38 PM
Anyone here, especially the Texas guys, know of a good stadium to watch a game in the Austin area? Been to Austin Westlake and that was pretty cool...but thats honestly the only one I know of (brothers have friends there). Any ideas?
You mean like this? SLC vs Trinity, November 2006. (That last picture is Dieon Sanders.)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shellyharris@sbcglobal.net/slideshow?.dir=/df87re2&.src=ph
Of cource your going to have big crowds for Championship games. I was just speaking of regular season games. Elder/X and Elder/Colerain had around 35k for just a playoff game in 25 degree weather with the winds whipping around. There's no doubt you have great crowds and I didn't want to get into a peeing match. Both states represent very well. I can't find a picture of either game, their floating around out there. It was played at Nippert and both of those games were SOOOOOOOOOOO Cold!
It does suck that the weather here is always so bad come playoff time. It really has an effect on the fans. You just can't bring the family when it's 25 and windy/snowy/freezing rain. I envy your weather and great Championship facilities like Texas Stadium.
Of cource your going to have big crowds for Championship games. I was just speaking of regular season games. Elder/X and Elder/Colerain had around 35k for just a playoff game in 25 degree weather with the winds whipping around. There's no doubt you have great crowds and I didn't want to get into a peeing match. Both states represent very well. I can't find a picture of either game, their floating around out there. It was played at Nippert and both of those games were SOOOOOOOOOOO Cold!
It does suck that the weather here is always so bad come playoff time. It really has an effect on the fans. You just can't bring the family when it's 25 and windy/snowy/freezing rain. I envy your weather and great Championship facilities like Texas Stadium.
That game was not the Championship, but a escond round matchup.
The two 5A(that's sounds stupid) chapionship games had less than half the announced crowd and that was a double header indoors in San Antonio.
Believe it or not, there actually is bad weather in Texas in November/December as well especially out in West Texas. The championship games will probably all be moving indoors pretty soon however.
I think great matchups will bring out most of the big crowds regardless of weather.
naughty
05-04-07, 08:06 AM
This is what lakeland plays in. Talk about time for an up grade. I think 6 state titles. and two national titles would garner you a stadium better then this. But even with out the fancy hi-tech stadium. Its is still the best place in florida to watch a high school football game.
http://www.lakelandfootball.com/bryantstadium.html
That game was not the Championship, but a escond round matchup.
The two 5A(that's sounds stupid) chapionship games had less than half the announced crowd and that was a double header indoors in San Antonio.
Believe it or not, there actually is bad weather in Texas in November/December as well especially out in West Texas. The championship games will probably all be moving indoors pretty soon however.
I think great matchups will bring out most of the big crowds regardless of weather.
I get what your saying.....I know the "purist" especially in Ohio like football to be played on grass and outdoors, but I would love nothing more than a domed stadium with field turf to play host to the OHSAA Finals. When Elder played in Canton in 02 for the Title I have never been so cold in my life. I think when temps are brutal like that and the footing is terrible because of snow it takes away from the game.
Bordertown
05-04-07, 08:42 AM
I envy your weather and great Championship facilities like Texas Stadium.
Everything is relative. When your body is used to 70 degree weather and it drops into the 40s and rains, you are frozen to the bone. It is what your body is acclimated. I have heard numerous "northerns" comment they have never been so cold in their life at Texas weather. Everything is relative.
Personally I hate watching high school games at Texas Stadium. If you reread the thread on the SLC/Trinity game, you will hear folks saying it took them an hour to get in the stadium. The concessions are priced for a professional game and the infrastructure is in decay.
Personally I hate watching high school games at Texas Stadium. If you reread the thread on the SLC/Trinity game, you will hear folks saying it took them an hour to get in the stadium. The concessions are priced for a professional game and the infrastructure is in decay.
And I love Texas Stadium. I have been to 30+ playoff games there and don't recall ever being late to one. The food is expensive, $4 for a suiovenier coke, $7.50 for Superbowl nochaos that will last you 6-7 hours.
Name me another stadium with better sightlines at nearly every angle that can handle a triple header the way TS does? You have chairbacks in every seat, a cup holder, instant replay, and sare shielded from most of the wind and almost every seat from the rain while the players still have to "deal" with it.
On average games you have 10-15k leaving and 10-15k arriving at basically the same time. People that don't understand that they do a very good job moving people in and out confuse me.
To be up front I am a total Texas Stadium homer.
Bordertown
05-04-07, 09:37 AM
I would much rather watch my team in at Mesquite Memorial or Rose in Tyler than fight the changing of the guards between games between game at Texas Stadium.
Chicago
05-04-07, 10:03 AM
I went to a tripleheader in the Astrodome in 1990 -- Aldine (USA Today #2) vs. Booker T. Washington, A&M Consolidated vs. somebody, and I can't remember the other game.
The changing of the guard was awesome.
Banners come down, fans in blue (for example) and cheerleaders and band and drill team leave, banners go up, fans in red (for example) and cheerleaders and band and drill team come in. And then you get another football game.
The bad part was that they didn't allow food to be brought in (standard, I know), and winning the lottery would just have gotten us up to broke. That was a long, long time to ration a little bit of stadium food.
I went to a tripleheader in the Astrodome in 1990 -- Aldine (USA Today #2) vs. Booker T. Washington, A&M Consolidated vs. somebody, and I can't remember the other game.
The changing of the guard was awesome.
Banners come down, fans in blue (for example) and cheerleaders and band and drill team leave, banners go up, fans in red (for example) and cheerleaders and band and drill team come in. And then you get another football game.
The bad part was that they didn't allow food to be brought in (standard, I know), and winning the lottery would just have gotten us up to broke. That was a long, long time to ration a little bit of stadium food.
Were you able to watch all the games for the same price? For the Herbie they have sessions. You can watch certain games and then they make you pay again to reneter and watch the rest of the games. It sux!
Chicago
05-04-07, 10:12 AM
One shot.
It was like being on the space station. You better not forget anything on the way in.
I once went to a Philadelphia Catholic League quadrupleheader (league quarterfinals) at Veterans Stadium. Wow, was it cold. I made it through the whole thing, though. It was one of those deals where the game could be tied with six minutes left and all you're rooting for is for the clock to keep running.
Chicago
05-04-07, 10:16 AM
I went to lunch between sessions at the Herbie, and ended up missing half of the Don Bosco/Centerville game.
The California state championships this past year was a tripleheader, with long breaks. And rain. That was rough.
I may be going on too many high school football trips, now that I think about it.
Anyone here, especially the Texas guys, know of a good stadium to watch a game in the Austin area? Been to Austin Westlake and that was pretty cool...but thats honestly the only one I know of (brothers have friends there). Any ideas?I've only been to the new stadium in Round Rock (north of Austin). It's a very nice facility.
As a side note, Riley Dodge's grandfather was the Head Coach and AD at Austin Westlake for over 30 years. They even named their field after him. (Riley Dodge was SLC's Jr. QB who helped SLC beat Austin Westlake in the Texas finals last year.)
This is what lakeland plays in. Talk about time for an up grade. I think 6 state titles. and two national titles would garner you a stadium better then this. But even with out the fancy hi-tech stadium. Its is still the best place in florida to watch a high school football game.
http://www.lakelandfootball.com/bryantstadium.html
The best place in Florida? Really?
Perhaps if Lakeland was more "honest" about their claims of national titles they'd deserve a new place. :D :D
To be up front I am a total Texas Stadium homer.
I like Texas Stadium and I don't mind the changing of the guard between games. I just wish they would do something with the ingress and egress.
Chicago
05-04-07, 11:13 AM
SLCDad,
When you start displacing wildlife it causes all kinds of issues.
Just leave it alone.
naughty
05-05-07, 08:43 PM
The best place in Florida? Really?
Perhaps if Lakeland was more "honest" about their claims of national titles they'd deserve a new place. :D :D
:Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: . the hardware in the office does not shout fake claims to me. ooooooooo yea. Come on down to lakeland and play a game. OH wait i forgot real champs dont travel because they are scared thy might get beat. Ooooooooooooooooooooooo yea. GO SLC. :thumb:
And again we dont need no fancy new stadium to win ball games in. And agian i say Bryant Stadium is the toughest place in state to play a football game. We dont have near the money you guys do. And still get the job down. So if you ask me i think we are fine. Plus the city is building a new stadium which will hold 20,000 so we are good. Which will hold the state football finals. Ooooooooooooooooo yea. Another thing good about lakeland.
ThEfOoTbAlLsTaTe
05-06-07, 07:14 PM
The Berry Center
http://www.berrycenter.net/pics/stadiumpics.jpg
http://www.berrycenter.net/pics/stadiumpics2.jpg
http://www.berrycenter.net/pics/confencepics.jpg
http://www.berrycenter.net/pics/theaterwide.jpg
Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District (8 High Schools, just outside of Houston.)
the hardware in the office does not shout fake claims to me. ooooooooo yea. Come on down to lakeland and play a game. OH wait i forgot real champs dont travel because they are scared thy might get beat. Ooooooooooooooooooooooo yea. GO SLC. :thumb:
And again we dont need no fancy new stadium to win ball games in. And agian i say Bryant Stadium is the toughest place in state to play a football game. We dont have near the money you guys do. And still get the job down. So if you ask me i think we are fine. Plus the city is building a new stadium which will hold 20,000 so we are good. Which will hold the state football finals. Ooooooooooooooooo yea. Another thing good about lakeland.
You said it was the "best" place to watch. Now it's the "toughest" place to play. What is Lakeland's record at home over the last decade? Do they have the best home record in Florida?
I was half joking about Lakeland's title claims, but we all know that Lakeland's case for a national title in 2005 was very slim. We also know that in 2006 Lakeland really didn't have the kind of season that a national championship team should have. If the rankings were done fresh at the end of the season (with no regard for how teams started the season in the polls), nobody could make an honest case that Lakeland deserved #1 in 2006. Come on, be honest.
WoodyHayes
05-07-07, 06:28 AM
I went up and saw Massillons stadium this past Saturday. After watching games down in Texas I realized that the stadium was not that nice. I was asked if I had ever seen a nicer stadium and I politely said yes, about 20 firsthand. I am glad you started this thread. A guy had a laptop and 2 things happened, 1- people were amazed at our facilities, 2- more people got exposed to Yappi sports. I was watching a jv baseball game and could not believe how small the kids were. I thought they were 12 - 14 when I first walked up. I am going to Columbus today and plan on driving down to Cinci, to look at the pit firsthand and to look at X's facilities.
WoodyHayes
05-07-07, 06:40 AM
This is what lakeland plays in. Talk about time for an up grade. I think 6 state titles. and two national titles would garner you a stadium better then this. But even with out the fancy hi-tech stadium. Its is still the best place in florida to watch a high school football game.
http://www.lakelandfootball.com/bryantstadium.html Just curious if there are any jails close by. If people acted up, they wouldnt have far to take them.
Bordertown
05-07-07, 07:29 AM
In all honesty many of the great Texas Stadiums you are seeing are due to growth in the urban areas. The School districts have simply outgrown their old stadiums and have to start over. Most of the stadiums are "new" by necessity. I think WoodyHayes would agree, there are some poor to average stadiums in Texas. Many of these old stadiums have "character" and "tradition".
When I saw the picture of "Elder's stadium" I had several toughts:
1) Unique - not many high school stadiums are built as a horseshoe. I like it.
2) Tradition - the stadium oozes of memories that grandfathers tell their grandsons about back in "the day".
3) Bad viewing - if the stadium holds 10,000 as represented there are probably a 1/3 in the end zone. Limited seating between the 30s.
4) Great atmosphere - I would want to watch a game in this stadium. It is not sterile.
Texas High plays in an 8,000 seat stadium built in 1954. It is located in a tough part of town and the district runs shuttle buses from the school parking lots due to limited parking. The 1st row is about 5 yards from the sidelines and 6 feet above the playing field. You can touch the players on the sidelines. The seating is 4,000 concrete seats on each side between the goal lines (40 rows +/-). The field house has no hot water or airconditioning (games in September and early October can be hot) and does not look like it has been renovated since 1954. The official name of the stadium is "Tiger Stadium at Grimm Park" or "Grimm Stadium". What an intimidating name for a stadium.
http://www.texashightigers.com/photogallery/photo00025053/grim1.jpg
The positives is the stadium has one of the best grass fields in the state and holds many memories. When asked what the hardest hit he took in high school, Earl Campbell responded "the wall at Grimm Stadium".
In two weeks the taxpayers will vote to pump $4 mil to renovate the stadium, but in the end it will still be "Grimm Stadium".
Another classic stadium in East Texas is the "Tomato Bowl" in Jacksonville, Texas. http://www.tomatocapital.com/postcards/images/tomatobowl_lg.jpg
Just wanted folks to know how the other half lived.
Bordertown-I think you bring up some good points.
I would say that ost of the new stadiums are in suburban areas. I understand that someone form Texarkana would think sonewhere like Mansfield/Midland/Round Rock/Birdville/Southlake/etc. would be urban.
To me, many of the new stadiums look similar. There is not much to differentiate them.
Personally I do not like tracks. I like to be on top of the action. I like real grass. I have not seen a HS stadium where the jumbotron was real effective. The technology is betting better, but not in the ones I have seen. I like the old "bowl" type stadiums. The gopher bowl, to an extent Grapevine stadium.
In all honesty many of the great Texas Stadiums you are seeing are due to growth in the urban areas. The School districts have simply outgrown their old stadiums and have to start over. Most of the stadiums are "new" by necessity. I think WoodyHayes would agree, there are some poor to average stadiums in Texas. Many of these old stadiums have "character" and "tradition".
When I saw the picture of "Elder's stadium" I had several toughts:
1) Unique - not many high school stadiums are built as a horseshoe. I like it.
2) Tradition - the stadium oozes of memories that grandfathers tell their grandsons about back in "the day".
3) Bad viewing - if the stadium holds 10,000 as represented there are probably a 1/3 in the end zone. Limited seating between the 30s.
4) Great atmosphere - I would want to watch a game in this stadium. It is not sterile.
Texas High plays in an 8,000 seat stadium built in 1954. It is located in a tough part of town and the district runs shuttle buses from the school parking lots due to limited parking. The 1st row is about 5 yards from the sidelines and 6 feet above the playing field. You can touch the players on the sidelines. The seating is 4,000 concrete seats on each side between the goal lines (40 rows +/-). The field house has no hot water or airconditioning (games in September and early October can be hot) and does not look like it has been renovated since 1954. The official name of the stadium is "Tiger Stadium at Grimm Park" or "Grimm Stadium". What an intimidating name for a stadium.
http://www.texashightigers.com/photogallery/photo00025053/grim1.jpg
The positives is the stadium has one of the best grass fields in the state and holds many memories. When asked what the hardest hit he took in high school, Earl Campbell responded "the wall at Grimm Stadium".
In two weeks the taxpayers will vote to pump $4 mil to renovate the stadium, but in the end it will still be "Grimm Stadium".
Another classic stadium in East Texas is the "Tomato Bowl" in Jacksonville, Texas. http://www.tomatocapital.com/postcards/images/tomatobowl_lg.jpg
Just wanted folks to know how the other half lived.
Everything you said about The Pit is correct. It's almost impossible to see from the first few rows around the whole stadium, the people walking by and the sidelines hinder any views. Point is, get there early and you won't have any problems. If you are lucky enough to sit on the side in the upper rows it really doesn't get any better.
In all honesty many of the great Texas Stadiums you are seeing are due to growth in the urban areas. The School districts have simply outgrown their old stadiums and have to start over. Most of the stadiums are "new" by necessity. I think WoodyHayes would agree, there are some poor to average stadiums in Texas. Many of these old stadiums have "character" and "tradition".
When I saw the picture of "Elder's stadium" I had several toughts:
1) Unique - not many high school stadiums are built as a horseshoe. I like it.
2) Tradition - the stadium oozes of memories that grandfathers tell their grandsons about back in "the day".
3) Bad viewing - if the stadium holds 10,000 as represented there are probably a 1/3 in the end zone. Limited seating between the 30s.
4) Great atmosphere - I would want to watch a game in this stadium. It is not sterile.
Texas High plays in an 8,000 seat stadium built in 1954. It is located in a tough part of town and the district runs shuttle buses from the school parking lots due to limited parking. The 1st row is about 5 yards from the sidelines and 6 feet above the playing field. You can touch the players on the sidelines. The seating is 4,000 concrete seats on each side between the goal lines (40 rows +/-). The field house has no hot water or airconditioning (games in September and early October can be hot) and does not look like it has been renovated since 1954. The official name of the stadium is "Tiger Stadium at Grimm Park" or "Grimm Stadium". What an intimidating name for a stadium.
http://www.texashightigers.com/photogallery/photo00025053/grim1.jpg
The positives is the stadium has one of the best grass fields in the state and holds many memories. When asked what the hardest hit he took in high school, Earl Campbell responded "the wall at Grimm Stadium".
In two weeks the taxpayers will vote to pump $4 mil to renovate the stadium, but in the end it will still be "Grimm Stadium".
Another classic stadium in East Texas is the "Tomato Bowl" in Jacksonville, Texas. http://www.tomatocapital.com/postcards/images/tomatobowl_lg.jpg
Just wanted folks to know how the other half lived.
The great thing about the Pit is that the crowd is as close to being "in" the game as you will seen anywhere. In a sense, it is similar to Cameron at Duke for hoops. There is no track around the field, to the student sections are only a few short yards from the sidelines....
RidgePride
05-07-07, 10:57 AM
The great thing about the Pit is that the crowd is as close to being "in" the game as you will seen anywhere. In a sense, it is similar to Cameron at Duke for hoops. There is no track around the field, to the student sections are only a few short yards from the sidelines....
The pit seems like an awesome place to play. I bet most high school players would want to experience it. The heckling there must be insane.
The great thing about the Pit is that the crowd is as close to being "in" the game as you will seen anywhere. In a sense, it is similar to Cameron at Duke for hoops. There is no track around the field, to the student sections are only a few short yards from the sidelines....
That's great for the fans.
It reminds me of Collins stadium that was built a couple of years ago in Denton. It is really nice (video replay, 12,000 seats, no track, etc.). The problem is that they built the stands only a few feet from the actual sidelines. There is hardly any room for the teams. If you are on the front row, you can almost tap the players on the back as they come off the field. I like being close, but in this case it's to close.
RidgePride
05-08-07, 11:07 AM
That's great for the fans.
It reminds me of Collins stadium that was built a couple of years ago in Denton. It is really nice (video replay, 12,000 seats, no track, etc.). The problem is that they built the stands only a few feet from the actual sidelines. There is hardly any room for the teams. If you are on the front row, you can almost tap the players on the back as they come off the field. I like being close, but in this case it's to close.
I have been to Collins stadium several times. Although close, the seating is elevated from the coaches and players. The Pit desends straight to the sideline it appears.
Bordertown
05-08-07, 01:13 PM
The great thing about the Pit is that the crowd is as close to being "in" the game as you will seen anywhere. In a sense, it is similar to Cameron at Duke for hoops. There is no track around the field, to the student sections are only a few short yards from the sidelines....
That is how Grimm is constructed. The sideline is maybe 5 yards from the stands. but as you can see these the first row is just above the players head. I provides a great atmosphere. Stadium holds about 8,000.
Bordertown
05-08-07, 01:33 PM
JELDER,
You I found this picture of Mequiste Memorial Stadium the that seats 20,000. It is a nice venue for playoff games.
http://www.texasbob.com/football/images/tbhs_MemorialMesquite.jpg
JELDER,
You I found this picture of Mequiste Memorial Stadium the that seats 20,000. It is a nice venue for playoff games.
http://www.texasbob.com/football/images/tbhs_MemorialMesquite.jpg
It just directed me to a link and I couldn't see the picture.
Never mind. I just surfed that website and found it.
JELDER,
You I found this picture of Mequiste Memorial Stadium the that seats 20,000. It is a nice venue for playoff games.
http://www.texasbob.com/football/images/tbhs_MemorialMesquite.jpg
This is my favotire so far....Pizza Hut Park
http://www.texasbob.com/football/images/tbsta_frisco.jpg
You will have to look it up under the biggest HS stadiums section. I also really like San Angelo Stadium. I love that Pizza Hut Stadium though!
This is my favotire so far....Pizza Hut Park
http://www.texasbob.com/football/images/tbsta_frisco.jpg
You will have to look it up under the biggest HS stadiums section. I also really like San Angelo Stadium. I love that Pizza Hut Stadium though!
Since that place was built for a major leaque soccer team, it has all the amenities of a major league baseball park. It's really, really nice.
Since that place was built for a major leaque soccer team, it has all the amenities of a major league baseball park. It's really, really nice.
It looked like Crew Stadium here in Ohio. I thought soccer was what it was built for. Either way, I just love horseshoe style stadiums!
It looked like Crew Stadium here in Ohio. I thought soccer was what it was built for. Either way, I just love horseshoe style stadiums!
I went to Crew Stadium for Colerain-REL. It was nice. PHP is one of the finest venues to see a sporting event. Great everything.
I went up and saw Massillons stadium this past Saturday. After watching games down in Texas I realized that the stadium was not that nice. I was asked if I had ever seen a nicer stadium and I politely said yes, about 20 firsthand. I am glad you started this thread. A guy had a laptop and 2 things happened, 1- people were amazed at our facilities, 2- more people got exposed to Yappi sports. I was watching a jv baseball game and could not believe how small the kids were. I thought they were 12 - 14 when I first walked up. I am going to Columbus today and plan on driving down to Cinci, to look at the pit firsthand and to look at X's facilities.
Woody,
How has the rest of your trip been? I'm curious to hear your thoughts on The Pit and St. X, I know you were talking about checking them out. If your looking for a baseball game to watch Elder plays Harrison today at 4:30 at Oak Hills which is only a few minutes from Elder. It's the 2nd round of the State Tourney and Elder will be throwing their Ace, who will be drafted after his senior year.
Anyway, let us know what you thought of the stadiums.
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