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Ohio Stadium

 




Ohio Stadium Layout PDF

2009 Ohio Stadium Fan Guide

More: Parking & Parking Map

On game day select streets on and around campus become one way. Upon completion of the game, the patterns will be reversed. Traffic control officers will direct you. Guests with parking passes should follow the directions on their parking passes. Campus may be accessed from exits on SR-315 north and south and I-71 north and south. Please note along these routes for available exits as exit availability may be adjusted due to construction. Please Note:

1. Guests are asked to allow for plenty of extra time to get to the game as there will be traffic delays due to the construction on SR-315.
2. Directions given on GPS systems may not be accurate on game days.
3. Please visit www.tp.ohio-state.edu/Events/football.html for additional details, up-to-date information, and parking maps.


VideoGame Day Policies and Information 8/28/07
Source: OSU Official Site

 

The Shoe

This is a recent picture of "The Shoe," May 18th, with the new field turf installation completed. The webcam 'snaps' a picture every five minutes. This link is an index to those photos: http://www.ps.ohio-state.edu/police/webcams/stadium.

 

Current Photo (see date and time) Source: Ohio Stadium Webcam
The Shoe

Link: Ohio Stadium Webcam

 

Ohio Stadium Facts and Figures (Source: OSU Official Site)

Nestled snugly on the banks of the Olentangy River, stately Ohio Stadium is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of college athletics.

Built in 1922 at a cost of $1.3 million and renovated in 2001 at a cost of nearly $194 million, the horseshoe-shaped structure is now in its 83rd year as the home of Buckeye football.

With its present seating capacity of 101,568, Ohio Stadium is the fourth largest on-campus facility in the nation. Since the opening game against Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 7, 1922, more than 36 million fans have streamed through the stadium’s portals.

Attending games in Ohio Stadium has become a Saturday afternoon ritual for Ohio State fans, who flock to the parking lots early to enjoy the gala atmosphere and pageantry that surrounds each and every game.

In eight home games last year, the Buckeyes set a single-season attendance record of 838,963, marking the second consecutive year that record has been rewritten.

From 1951 to 1973, the Buckeyes led the nation in attendance 21 times, including the 14 consecutive years from 1958 to 1971. Since 1949, Ohio State has never been lower than fourth nationally in average home attendance.

Unique in its double-deck horseshoe design, Ohio Stadium is both intimate and intimidating. The closeness of the seating provides a definite home-field advantage for the Buckeyes, at the same time allowing fans to view the game from unobstructed vantage points. As part of the renovation, there are now 81 hospitality suites and 2,625 club seats on the west side of the stadium. All the seats are good, including the 17,000 in the new and permanent south stands.

Prior to the construction of Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes played their games at Ohio Field. The demand for a new stadium came about during the "Harley Years" - 1916, ’17 and ’19, when Charles "Chic" Harley became the Buckeyes' first three-time All-American.

With the echoes of Harley’s legendary feats ringing throughout the state, local businessmen set about the task of raising money for a new stadium. They did so quickly, raising almost all of the $1.3 million through private donations, and construction began in 1920.

Skeptics scoffed at the thought of a 66,000-seat venue, but they were quickly quieted when an overflow crowd of 71,138 showed up for the dedication game against Michigan on Oct. 21, 1922.

Numerous upgrades have been made over the years, including the installation of artificial turf in 1970. The latter was made possible through the generous donation of Lou Fischer, who played for the Buckeyes and Coach Woody Hayes in 1950 and ’51.

A new scoreboard with state-of-the-art graphics and statistical information was added in 1984 at a cost of $2.4 million, or nearly twice that of the original stadium.

The artificial surface was replaced with natural grass in 1990. The Buckeyes currently play on P.A.T. a natural grass surface with a state-of-the-art draining system that keeps the field playable even under the worst conditions. (Note: Field Turf will be installed and replace the natural grass turf for the 2007 season.)

In 1999, the stadium underwent a three-year face-lift that was completed in time for the season opener against Akron in 2001. Thanks to a creative financing plan, no university or student monies were used during the renovation process. Instead the sale of the hospitality suites and club seats, covered 80 percent of the cost, with the remainder being covered by naming-rights gifts, monies from additional ticket availability, increased concessions and merchandise revenues and bonds.

As a result of that renovation, the Stadium is completely up to code in terms of disability seating. Additionally, aisles have been widened, rails have been added and lighting has been installed in the concourses. There are also many more restrooms and concession stands on all levels.

The stadium also has been the site of several summer concerts, including performances by Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones.

On March 22, 1974, Ohio Stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. It was a fitting tribute to a building that has shaped the memories of Ohio State football since 1922. Anyone who has seen a game in the giant horseshoe understands why. There are few experiences in athletics that are more enjoyable!

Ohio State heads into the 2004 campaign with a string of 14 consecutive crowds of at least 100,000.

Ohio Stadium Quick Facts
Built 1922
Architect Howard Dwight Smith
Cost $1.3 million
First Game Ohio Wesleyan, Oct. 7, 1922
Dedication Game Michigan, Oct. 21, 1922
Original Capacity 66,210
Present Capacity 101,568
Largest Crowd 105,539 (Michigan, Nov. 23, 2002)
Artificial Turf Installed 1970
Grass Surface Installed 1990
Renovation 1999-2001
Re-dedication Akron, 2001
Stadium Circumference 2,892 square feet
Stadium Length 919 feet
Stadium Width 679 feet
Stadium Acreage 14.5 acres
Stadium Height 136 feet
Height of Press Box Roof from field 183 feet
Seats in "A" Deck 27,192
Seats in "AA" Deck 8,318
Seats in "B" Deck 10,718
Seats in "C" Deck 30,878
Seats in "D" Deck 2,459
Seats in 81 Hospitality Suites 1,062
Seats in South Stands 17,248


Ohio Stadium Facts Sheet
 Existingvs.Renovated
Total sq. ft. of A concourse399,978 sq. ft. 536,850 sq. ft.
Stadium Circumference2,562 ft. 2,892 ft.
Length of stadium704 ft. 919 ft.
Width of stadium596 ft. 6 in. 679 ft.
Sq. ft of ground stadium was built on419,936 sq. ft. 624,001 sq. ft.
Number of acres9.8 acres 14.5 acres
Note: Stadium field was lowered 14 ft. 6 in.
Acres of playing surface (sports turf)1.4 acres 1.6 acres
Height of speaker cluster (from grade level)106 ft. 10 in. 180 ft. 4 in.
Height of speaker cluster (from field level)106 ft. 10 in. 194 ft. 10 in.
Height of scoreboard (from grade level)106 ft. 10 in. 147 ft.
Height of scoreboard (from field level)106 ft. 10 in. 161 ft. 6 in.
Width of scoreboard106 ft. 158 ft. 2 in.
Height of scoreboard44 ft. 7 in. 42ft.
Height of video screen25 ft. 30 ft.
Width of video screen37 ft. 90 ft.
Height of stadium outbuild (from grade level east and west)98 ft. 3 in. 136 ft. 7 in.
Height of press box roof (from grade level)118 ft. 10 in. 168 ft. 10 in.
Height of press box roof (from field level)118 ft. 10 in. 183 ft. 4 in.
Height of flagpole (from grade level)131 ft. 6 in. 146 ft.
Total flagpole height147 ft. 6 in. 162 ft. (16 ft. in ground)
Number of men’s fixtures186 437 (135% increase)
Number of women’s fixtures91 723 (695% increase)
Family restrooms0 24
Concessions (Points of Sale)80 194 (143% increase)
Suites0 81
Source: OSU Official Site
Ohio Stadium Photos taken during the thirteen month construction period.

The Men Behind the Stadium

 
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