Broke ground 1958 | Operator U.S. Naval Academy Capacity 34,000 | |
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Record attendance 38,225 (vs. Air Force,October 5, 2013) Address 550 Taylor Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA Similar United States Naval Ac, Independence Stadium, University Stadium, Navy Alumni Hall, Amon G Carter Stadium | ||
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in the eastern United States, near the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Opened 58 years ago in 1959, it is the home field for Navy football and lacrosse, and also the professional Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse. Since 2013, the stadium has hosted the Military Bowl, a college football bowl game.
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The stadium's opener was a 29–2 win over William & Mary on September 26, 1959, and its current seating capacity is 34,000. The attendance record is 38,225, set in 2013 during Navy's 28–10 defeat of Air Force on October 5. The stadium hosted soccer games as part of the 1984 Summer Olympics.
Prior to 1959, Navy played its home games at Thompson Stadium, which seated only 12,000. Its site on campus is now occupied by Lejeune Hall, the venue for USNA water sports.
Memorial
The stadium serves as a memorial to the Navy and Marine Corps; it is dedicated to those who have served (and will serve) as upholders of the traditions and renown of the Navy and Marine Corps of the United States. The thousands of memorial bench-back and wall plaques are a constant reminder, as well as the list of numerous battles involving the Naval and Marine Corps forces since the early 1900s.
Renovation
In 2004 the stadium underwent a major renovation by 360 Architecture. Among the improvements were an expanded press box, 140 club seats and associated club lounge, private suites, new stadium seating (northwest end zone), ADA enhancements, updated restrooms, concessions and stadium operation facilities, new banquet facilities, and renovated locker room facilities.
Playing surface
For its first 46 years, the stadium's playing field was natural grass. Prior to the 2005 football season, the grass field was replaced with FieldTurf, a next-generation infilled synthetic turf. The field runs northwest to southeast, with the pressbox along the southwest sideline, and the elevation of the field is approximately 45 feet (14 m) above sea level.
Jack Stephens Field
The field at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is named "Jack Stephens Field", for Jackson T. Stephens (Class of 1947), whose gift aided (1) the renovation of the stadium, (2) the Class of 1947 Legacy project to benefit the Academy's Museum, and (3) other Academy projects.