Woodward Field (stadium)
| "The Inferno" |
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Debut of red field in 2010
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| Former names | Woodward Field (1967–2009) |
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| Location |
Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington, U.S. |
| Owner | Eastern Washington University |
| Operator | Eastern Washington University |
| Capacity | 8,600 (2004–present) 7,500 (1967–2003) |
| Record attendance | 11,702 (September 18, 2010) |
| Surface | SprinTurf (red) (2010–present) Natural grass (1967–2009) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1966 |
| Opened | 1967, 50 years ago |
| Construction cost | $1.5 million |
| Architect | T.W. Clark Construction LLC |
| Tenants | |
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Eastern Washington Eagles (1967–present) Big Sky Conference (1987–present) I-AA independent (1984–86) Division II (1978–83) |
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Roos Field is an outdoor college football stadium on the campus of Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington, southwest of Spokane. It is the home venue of the Eastern Washington Eagles of the Big Sky Conference in Division I (FCS).
Opened 50 years ago in 1967, the Eagles have accomplished a 112–51 (.687) record at home. The seating capacity was increased in 2004 to its current capacity of 8,700 permanent seats. Additional temporary seating is often utilized to accommodate large crowds, which brings the capacity to nearly 12,000.
The stadium was originally named Woodward Field in honor of former Eagles head football and basketball coach Arthur C. Woodward. It replaced the original Woodward Field, which was located near the present JFK Library. The field was renamed before the start of the 2010 season in honor of Michael Roos, an All-Pro NFL tackle and former Eastern Washington football player, and major donor for the Red Turf project.
Roos Field went under a massive renovation in 2004 that upgraded public facilities, the press box, new locker room, and also updated the stadium's capacity. The suites and media center represent phase two of a three-phase $4.5 million stadium upgrade. Phase one consisted of a $350,000 renovation of the stadium's entrance and ticket office. Completed in 2002, the project was funded with state dollars. Phase three increased the stadium's permanent seating capacity from 7,500 to 8,700 and was financed with a combination of public funds and private donations. "Our ability to bring prospective donors and entertain them is important," says Barnes. "It will create a revenue stream for us over time. It's also an important piece in the recruiting process." Scott Barnes says EWU will market the suites to donors, who will pay $30,000 to lease them for five years. The project called for a two-level 6,800-square-foot (630 m2) structure to replace the existing about 800-square-foot (74 m2) press box with the enclosed suites and a new press box on the west side of the stadium. The first floor of the elevated structure contains the donor suites and the second level is for the media and coaches. Each of the donor suites has 12 seats and room for additional people. The suites also have cable television, stereos, and refrigerators.
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