Waldo Stadium
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| Former names | Western State Teachers College Field |
|---|---|
| Location | 1903 West Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008 |
| Coordinates | 42°17′9″N 85°36′4″W / 42.28583°N 85.60111°WCoordinates: 42°17′9″N 85°36′4″W / 42.28583°N 85.60111°W |
| Owner | Western Michigan University |
| Operator | Western Michigan University |
| Capacity | 30,200 (1989–present) 25,000 (1973–1988) 15,000 (1939–1972) |
| Record attendance | 36,361 (September 16, 2000 vs Indiana State) |
| Surface |
FieldTurf (2006–present) NexTurf (2000–2005) Prescription Athletic Turf (1992–1999) Astroturf (1972–1991) Natural Grass (1939–1972) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1938 |
| Opened | October 7, 1939 |
| Renovated | 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| Expanded | 1973, 1989 |
| Construction cost | $250,000 USD ($4.3 million in 2016 dollars) $5.6 Million (2013-2015 Renovation) |
| Tenants | |
| Western Michigan Broncos (NCAA) (1939–present) | |
Waldo Stadium is a stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Opened in 1939, it now has a capacity of 30,200 spectators.
The stadium was built at a cost of $250,000, and it opened in 1939 with a 6–0 win over Miami University. The cost for Waldo Stadium also included the construction of Hyames Field, the school's baseball stadium directly west of the football field. The stadium is named for Dwight B. Waldo, first president of the school.
The location of Waldo Stadium has been home for Western football since 1914. A field, without a stadium or modern seating, existed through 1938, until the construction and completion of the stadium in 1939. It originally included an eight-lane track, which has since moved to Kanley Track across the street. Financing came through private donations, and those who donated were awarded tickets to the inaugural game against Western Kentucky University. Over the years, WMU continued adding seating to the stadium, and a renovation in 1989 pushed the available seats to 30,200. Focal renovations have included the Bill Brown Alumni Center and the John Gill press box, added to the main seating on the north and south sidelines.
The athletic department installed a new, state-of-the-art scoreboard and video screen before the start of the 2015 season.
In 2013 the athletic department made almost $3.5 million in renovations and upgrades to Waldo Stadium and Seelye Center, the football team's indoor practice facility. Included in the upgrades were: new artificial turf for stadium, new brown and gold turf for the indoor practice facility, a revamped and upgraded weight room, a remodeled locker room, renovated meeting rooms, and a new team lounge and showplace. Additional renovations were made to the stadium complex from 2014 to 2015 including new speakers for the stadium, new scoreboards and video boards bringing renovation costs to $5.7 million since 2013.
A Waldo Stadium-record crowd of 36,361 saw the Broncos defeat Indiana State University 56–0, in 2000.
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