The new Gustavus football stadium is nearing completion and will be ready for the Gusties to face Willamette University in the season opener on Saturday, September 8 at 1:00 pm. The $4.6 million dollar facility will feature a synthetic surface field, a stadium tower that houses a pressbox, a presidential suite, concessions, and restrooms, and will accommodate about 5,000 fans. This new stadium replaces a more than 75-year-old stadium that was decommissioned at the final home football game in 2006.
Sited to the west of the Lund Center for Physical Education, Recreation, and Health, the new football stadium will provide the Gustavus community with an attractive and unique venue from which to watch the Gusties compete. The new synthetic field will be recessed below ground level and feature and earthen berm surrounding the entire field. Spectators will enter the stadium through an arched entryway and may circle the entire stadium via a concrete walkway located at the top of the earthen berm. The berm will provide ample space for people to be seated informally on the grass to watch the game. The stadium itself will provide seating for 2,500 spectators. A visitors’ section across the field will allow seating for an additional 1,000 fans. The field will continue to be named “Hollingsworth Field” after the late Lloyd Hollingsworth, who served as the football coach from 1942 to 1960 and also athletic director from 1961 to 1978.
The Gustavus community will dedicate the new stadium at the first home game on Saturday, September 8 against Willamette University of Salem, Oregon. A day of events is scheduled and will include the following:
* An 8 a.m. fun run (2 miles).
* An open house from 9 to 11 a.m. where attendees will be allowed on the field, in the stands, and in the press box.
* A dedication ceremony at 11 a.m.
* A family-friendly tailgating opportunity from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
* A 1 p.m. game versus Willamette University (no admission will be charged).
Head Coach Jay Schoenebeck and his squad will play six games at the new stadium this season. Those games include Willamette University (Sept. 8), Hamline University (Sept. 22), Saint John’s University (Oct. 13 – Homecoming), Macalester College (Oct. 20), Concordia College (Nov. 3 – Hall of Fame Day), and Carleton College (Nov. 10 – Senior Day
You can follow the day-to-day construction of the stadium through the Gustavus Stadium webcam
You can also view interesting time lapse videos of the stadium construction and the synthetic turf installation.