Vanderbilt Stadium

Nashville's Vanderbilt Stadium was constructed in 1922 at the corner of the present day intersection of Jess Neely Drive and Natchez Trace. The stadium is located directly across the street from Centennial Park. Vanderbilt Stadium replaced the old Dudley Field that was located in the heart of campus, where Vanderbilt had played football since 1892. The stadium was designed to match the University of Michigan's "Big House." Once completed Vanderbilt Stadium became known as "one of the seven wonders of the South." It also became the South's first football only athletic facility. Once completed the stadium seated 20,000 people. The first football game played in the new stadium was against the University of Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines were the alma mater of Vanderbilt's legendary football coach Dan McGugin. The game was a defensive struggle and ended in a 0-0 tie. The first game has gone down in Nashville sports history as one of the city's greatest sports spectacles. Nashville had never seen a sports arena the magnitude of Vanderbilt's. Once McGugin, and his 197-55-19 record, left, Vanderbilt football became inconsistent in their football performance. This was due to the fact that the University will not budge on their rigorous academic requirements for admission. Vanderbilt Stadium was not equipped with lights until 1954. On September 25, 1954 the first night game in Vanderbilt football history was played against the Baylor Bears. The lights had not even been installed for football, instead for a Billy Graham Crusade, but nonetheless they have been around ever since. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy spoke at Vanderbilt Stadium. Beginning in 1980, Vanderbilt Stadium was expanded and a new press box was constructed. The press box was constructed on the stadium's western end and was designed to match a United States Naval Vessel. The press box was named after Vanderbilt football player and journalist Fred Russell. After every Commodore victory, the "victory flag" is raised on top of the press box. In 1998 the Houston Oilers relocated to Nashville. While their new stadium was being constructed, Vanderbilt Stadium served as their temporary home. Vanderbilt Stadium underwent its most recent renovation in 2011. As part of the renovation a video board and synthetic "FieldTurf" were added. The video board incorporates the "Admiral's Horn" that is sounded after every Commodore touchdown. Vanderbilt Stadium has been the subject of controversy in recent months as those associated with the football program have been pleading for much needed improvements to the stadium. Vanderbilt even considered moving their games to an off campus stadium which would have been constructed at the Nashville fairgrounds. Vanderbilt Stadium's history speaks for itself, and it should be renovated and preserved. It is past overdue for Vanderbilt's administration to invest in the football program.

Aerial photo of the first game played at Vanderbilt Stadium. The game ended in a 0-0 tie. Notice how the landscape has changed in Nashville. There were no University buildings, Memorial Gym, Hawkins Field, nor Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

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