Forza Buckeyes!Simmo79 wrote:#4 Ohio Stadium, Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)
Capcity: 101,568
Located near the geographic center of the state, the state capital has a population of 1,612,694, ranking it third in Ohio (behind Cleveland and Cincinnati). The Columbus campus of OSU is currently one of the largest student bodies in the United States, with 50,504 students enrolled.
The Buckeyes played their first game at Ohio Stadium on October 7, 1922 against Ohio Wesleyan. When it opened in 1922, Ohio Stadium had a seating capacity of 66,210 in a distinctive double decked horseshoe configuration. The Buckeyes have been very successful over the years and additional renovations have been completed at Ohio Stadium.
The latest renovations and expansions came between 1998 and 2001. This expansion included the removal of the Jesse Owens Track and lowering the field by 14 feet. With the lowering of the field, additional rows were added. Furthermore, a 40 foot tall shell was added on the east and west sides of the stadium to allow the rim to be raised and to add 17 rows of seats. A new video/scoreboard along with 76 luxury suites and 2,500 club seats were added.
Temporary bleachers in the open end of the horseshoe were replaced with a permanent grandstand, as well as improving the seating and concourse areas.
The result of the $194 million renovation was to raise capacity to 101,568. Amazingly, 80% of the cost of the renovation was funded by the sale of leases on the suites and club seats, with the rest funded by various gifts and the sale of the naming rights of portions of the stadium, using no public or university money.
Ohio Stadium brought in its largest crowd on September 10, 2005, with 105,565 fans in attendance to watch the Buckeyes' first ever match-up against the University of Texas at Austin (and eventual 2005 national champions), a game which the Buckeyes lost 25-22.
Today, Ohio Stadium is one of the finest stadiums in the nation with a seating capacity of 101,568. The Buckeyes have led the nation in attendance 20 times throughout the years. In 2005, OSU averaged crowds of 105,107 over their 7 home games.
The Buckeye football team won the 2002 college football national championship at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. It was the seventh national championship for the football team, which also topped the nation in 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, and 1970. The Buckeyes closed out the 2005 season with seven consecutive victories (finishing 10-2), were Big Ten co-champions, defeated Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl and wound up fourth in the final national rankings.
Next…not sure. I mistakenly thought Ohio was 3rd biggest so I need a good list to work off. edit: http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0105761.html#A0105762
Edit on 2 June 2006:
Old view before horseshoe filled in.
Rotunda (under the old curved Endzone). Class.
Before the running track was removed (and before Global warming)
Went past the horseshow on gameday and saw all the tailgate parties. Pity I couldn't attend.