Graham Stadium
 | |
 | |
| Location | 505 University Street, Martin, Tennessee, 38238 |
|---|---|
| Owner | University of Tennessee at Martin |
| Operator | University of Tennessee at Martin |
| Capacity | 7,500 |
| Surface | FieldTurf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 12, 1963[1] |
| Opened | September 26, 1964 |
| Renovated | 2016 |
| Construction cost | $350,000 ($3.44 million in 2023 dollars[2]) |
| Tenants | |
| UT Martin Skyhawks (NCAA) (1964–present) | |
| Website | |
| https://utmsports.com/facilities/?id=5 | |
Hardy M. Graham Stadium is a 7,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Martin, Tennessee.[3] It is home to the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks football team. The facility opened in 1964. It is located north of Tennessee State Route 431 (University Street, formerly Highway 22) from the central campus area, adjacent to the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.
Namesake of the stadium
[edit]The stadium is named in honor of Hardy M. Graham, a long-time supporter on UT Martin, who has contributed over $1 million to the university. The naming of the stadium took place on July 19, 2001.[4][5] Previous to this, the stadium had been referred to as Pacer Stadium after a former athletic team nickname (1971–1995). The actual playing surface is H. K. Grantham Field after a prior athletics coach at the school. The stadium is located on Everett Derryberry Lane, also named in honor of a former coach, the school's first in football.
Facility
[edit]The stadium's capacity is 7,500 with nearly 1,900 chairback seats. About 1,200 are located on the east side. There are 400 chairbacks on the west side. Berms located beyond the south end zone give the stadium a "bowled" look.
The current playing surface is FieldTurf, which was installed prior to the 2008 season, replacing natural Bermuda grass.
Graham Stadium was renovated in 2016, featuring a new four-story press box on the west side of the stadium. The bottom level will house a renovated visiting locker room, referee locker room, a concession stand and other game management space. It will also feature a lobby area and an elevator. The second level will be used by the College of Agriculture and Applied Science and will also serve as an academic support area. The club level is located on the third floor.
In late February 2019, replacing the artificial grass that was installed in 2008. The new playing surface features alternating shades of green every five yards, the Skyhawk head logo at midfield, two navy blue endzones and a pair of orange sideline boxes.
In late August 2021, a new scoreboard and videoboard was installed by the Nevco Scoreboard Company.
Renovations
[edit]The State of Tennessee provided funding to construct a modern ROTC facility on the east side of the stadium, replacing an obsolete frame building which had been moved to the central campus area after World War II. With the assistance of private and public funding, the chairback seating was added. Improvements also included complete restroom and concession facilities on the east side of the stadium, improved west side seating and press box additions.[5]
In, 2013 it was planned that the facility undergo a $5.5 million renovation project to replace its entire west side with new bleacher seating and add a four-story building featuring a club level, academic support level, and press box that totalled approximately 21,000 square feet. The building was to stretch 50 yards—from 25-yard line to 25-yard line. The project was spearheaded by Fleming Associates out of Memphis and was approved at a Board of Trustees meeting on June 20.[6]
In October 2014 the start of the project was delayed for the second year in a row. Work was originally planned to begin in December 2014 and was to be completed in time for the 2015 season. However, the work was actually completed in time for the 2016 season.[7][8]
A University of Tennessee Capital Projects Report was published on 8/27/13 showing the Graham Stadium press box improvements coming in at $6.5 million.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Then and Now: Plans Set for Football Stadium". The Pacer. University of Tennessee at Martin. October 23, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ "World Stadiums - Stadiums in the United States: Tennessee". Archived from the original on 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b "UTM Sports". Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
- ^ UT Martin vs Central Arkansas Game Notes 2013[permanent dead link]
- ^ "UTM Sports". www.utmsports.com. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12.
- ^ "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UTM stadium renovation pushed back again".
- ^ University of Tennessee Capital Projects Report - Aug 27 2013