Autzen Stadium
Location: 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Eugene, Oregon
Date: 1967; 2003
Architects: Skidmore Owings and Merrill (original 1967 structure); Ellerbe Becket (2003 addition and renovation). Contributors (2003): Hunt/Wildish Construction. Project Planner: Chris Ramey. Project Manager: Charlene Lindsay.
DESCRIPTION
In 1959, UO participated with the city, county, and utility company in the purchase of over 560 acres north of the Willamette River made available by the State Highway Commission for recreational purposes. Plans for a new stadium commenced and a successful fund drive quickly provided funds. The firm SOM explored Hayward Field as a site option but selected the new site based on planning, transportation, and economic concerns. The stadium, costing approximately $3 million, and taking only 9 months to build, was creatively designed within an artificial crater, avoiding the need for multilevel ramps. The 41,000 stadium, was named for the Autzen Foundation, headed by UO alumnus Thomas Autzen, who contributed to the project.
The $90 million expansion of the 1967 facility increased capacity from 41,700 to 58,000 seats. Renovations included seating, skyboxes, and improved accessibility, circulation, concessions, restrooms, and press facilities. Hunt Construction Group won an Award of Excellence Citation (Public Project) for its efforts.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The New House : the History of Autzen Stadium. Produced written and directed by Daniel Miller, Dustin Popken Publisher [Eugene, Or. : University of Oregon Bookstore, 2004.] 80 min.
"Autzen Stadium," in Style and Vernacular: A Guide to the Architecture of Lane County. Oregon. Portland: Western Imprints, 1983, p. 86.
1950s
"Keep stadium on the campus," Daily Emerald, 05/10/1952, II: 2
"Stadium hassle: it could happen here," Daily Emerald, 04/03/1953, 2
"Oregon halts stadium plans," Daily Emerald, 09/17/1953, 1
"Wilson to request purchase of land, (President) (for future football stadium)", Daily Emerald, 04/24/1959, 1
"Wilson given go-ahead by Board in negotiations for stadium land, (President)", Daily Emerald, 04/28/1959, 1
"New Stadium-a step forward," Daily Emerald, 05/12/1959, 2, il.
"Land purchased for UO-city park," Daily Emerald, 06/05/1959, 1
1960s
"Lindstrom tells hope for new football stadium," Daily Emerald, 12/01/1960, 1
"Concerning the stadium," Daily Emerald, 05/16/1961, 5
"Stadium discussion," Daily Emerald, 03/29/1963, 2
"Funds said available for new UO stadium," Daily Emerald, 09/30/1963, 1
"Flemming to talk on stadium issue," Daily Emerald, 10/07/1963, 5
"Half Mast, (Pres. Flemming backs stadium proposal)", Daily Emerald, 10/11/1963, 4
"Stadium issue depends on tax measure fate," Daily Emerald, 10/11/1963, 8
"Realtors approve new stadium site," Daily Emerald, 10/28/1963, 8
"C of C supports stadium plans," Daily Emerald, 11/06/1963, 1
"River site asked for UO stadium, (Willamette)", Daily Emerald, 11/11/1963, 1
"Stadium or auditorium?, Controversy goes on...", Daily Emerald, 11/27/1963, 7
"Eugene Chamber OK's joint stadium proposal," Daily Emerald, 09/22/1964, 1
"UO stadium proposal faces uphill struggle," Daily Emerald, 10/26/1964, 1
"Board to hear stadium plans," Daily Emerald, 11/13/1964, 1
"Here we go again: another stadium plan," Daily Emerald, 05/10/1965, 5
"Planning Commission halts stadium plans," Daily Emerald, 05/14/1965, 1
"Club to discuss stadium plans," Daily Emerald, 05/25/1965, 3
"Stadium issue still clouded," Daily Emerald, 05/28/1965, 1
"New stadium; north bank area development possible," Daily Emerald, 06/24/1965, 7
"It's about the stadium..," Daily Emerald, 06/29/1965, 2
"Build it Big Enough," Daily Emerald, 10/05/1965, 6
"No More Delays, Stadium Deserves Action, Not Hesitation", Daily Emerald, 10/19/1965, 6
"Planning group suggests possible track for stadium," Daily Emerald, 10/20/1965, 1
"Stadium finances," Daily Emerald, 10/21/1965, 4
"Flemming tells stadium plans," Daily Emerald, 11/04/1965, 1
"Financing the Stadium, Students should not be charged for attending games", Daily Emerald, 11/11/1965, 10
"Stadium drive hires campaign manager," Daily Emerald, 11/17/1965, 3
"Stadium fund campaign reaches halfway mark," Daily Emerald, 01/07/1966, 1
"Where's the Money Coming From?," Daily Emerald, 01/11/1966, 6
"Senate slates stadium talks," Daily Emerald, 01/13/1966, 3
"Gap closing in drive for stadium monies," Daily Emerald, 01/27/1966, 1
"Stadium drive over $780,000," Daily Emerald, 02/16/1966, 1
"Stadium drive near million," Daily Emerald, 03/01/1966, 1
"State Board may boost stadium fund $100,000," Daily Emerald, 03/03/1966, 5
"Stadium fund complete; access causes debate," Daily Emerald, 03/29/1966, 1
"Time to move on the Stadium," Daily Emerald, 03/29/1966, 6
"Flemming firm on North Bank," Daily Emerald, 04/07/1966, 1
"Stadium Objectors Look Silly," Daily Emerald, 04/11/1966, 6
"Preliminary stadium work planned to start in July," Daily Emerald, 05/05/1966, 7
"All is 'go' for stadium," Daily Emerald, 05/11/1966, 4
"Stadium needs improved roads," Daily Emerald, 05/17/1966, 1
"Plan to solve problem of North Bank traffic," Daily Emerald, 05/20/1966
"'New Plan' for stadium," Daily Emerald, 05/24/1966, 4
"Here's more on stadium," Daily Emerald, 05/25/1966, 4
"Forum studies facts on North Bank project," Daily Emerald, 05/27/1966, 1
"Stadium plans, name win board approval," Daily Emerald, 06/20/1966, 1
"Autzen stadium gets approval," Daily Emerald, 07/07/1966, 3
"Work on stadium to begin soon," Daily Emerald, 07/14/1966, 1
"Stadium drive at $23,000," Daily Emerald, 08/02/1966, 1
"Stadium costs met by drives," Daily Emerald, 10/10/1966, 8
"Autzen stadium bids opened," Daily Emerald, 11/11/1966, 1
"$1.7 million contract for stadium granted," Daily Emerald, 01/05/1967, 3
"Dollars rule," Daily Emerald, 02/15/1967, 7
"Ducks future home awaits season opener," Daily Emerald, 04/26/1967, 4
"Senate postpones stadium decision," Daily Emerald, 04/28/1967, 1
"Specially grown turf transplanted to Autzen," Daily Emerald, 06/29/1967, 5
"Autzen Stadium turf damaged," Daily Emerald, 07/06/1967, 4
"Cas says Autzen Stadium to be community asset," Daily Emerald, 08/03/1967, 3
"New Football Stadium Comes to Life," Daily Emerald, 09/19/1967, 1
"Bus service shuttles students to stadium," Daily Emerald, 09/19/1967, 7
"Dedication of stadium marred by Duck loss," Daily Emerald, 10/09/1967, 1
"Autzen: Has it hurt athletic quality?," Daily Emerald, 11/01/1967, 4
"Communication aids coaches in new stadium," Daily Emerald, 11/21/1967, 3
"Stadium donation totals $1 million," Daily Emerald, 08/06/1968, 4
"Autzen lights, artificial turf goal of fund-raising group," Daily Emerald, 02/17/1969, 8
"Oregon to install artificial grid turf," Daily Emerald, 02/19/1969, 4
"Artificial turf--an Autzen reality," Daily Emerald, 02/21/1969, 5
"Turf, money concern PR coach," Daily Emerald, 04/04/1969, 12
"Artificial turf: distorting priorities," Daily Emerald, 04/08/1969, 6
"Roadblock to Autzen turf installation gone," Daily Emerald, 05/06/1969, 3
"Stadium for parking, (letter to ed.)", Daily Emerald, 05/08/1969, 10
"Installation of astroturf underway on Autzen Field," Daily Emerald, 06/26/1969, 7
"Rains cause delay for Autzen turf," Daily Emerald, 07/31/1969, 3
"Student wages disputed: Labor laws enter turf laying squabble," Daily Emerald, 10/31/1969, 3
1970s
"Cyclist (Joe A. Blackmon) killed in Autzen lot," Daily Emerald, 07/01/1971, 6
"AstroTurf damaged by Autzen explosion," Daily Emerald, 04/24/1972, 3
"'Injured Athlete' topic of doctors three-day talk," Daily Emerald, 07/26/1972, 3
"Committee says Autzen parking ok," Daily Emerald, 01/24/1973, 3
"This explains those Autzen people jams [Rubble of the rabble]," Daily Emerald, 10/23/1974, 24
"Concerts in Autzen may be possible," Daily Emerald, 05/17/1976, 7
"Autzen's old rug has needed facelift," Daily Emerald, 07/27/1976
"AD may hold rock concert in Autzen," Daily Emerald, 04/26/1977, 1