Neyland Stadium-Knoxville, Tennessee Creates Results.

On October 3rd, 2015 with two teams limping in, the results would be that one team Arkansas or Tennessee would earn their first SEC win of the season. The Razorbacks were on a three game losing streak, (0-1 in the SEC) and had yet to find its trough.

The Volunteers (0-1 in the SEC) had lost three out of their last four, finding ways to give up fourteen point leads in three of them. Answers were being sought to shore up a leaky defense. Grumblings of questionable play calling with the lead in the second half filled the airwaves.

According to the University of Tennessee official Athletic website: “The present day Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field, had its beginning in 1919. Col. W.S. Shields, president of Knoxville’s City National Bank and a UT trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip an athletic field. Thus, when the field was completed in March 1921, it was called Shields-Watkins Field in honor of the donor and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields.

The stadium, apart from the field it grew to enclose, came to bear its own distinguished name — Neyland Stadium. It was named for the man most responsible for the growth and development of Tennessee’s proud football tradition. General Robert R. Neyland served as head coach from 1926-1952, with two interruptions for military service.Read More »»»

Commonwealth Stadium-Lexington, Kentucky Produces Landmark Win!!

On Saturday, September 27, 2015, the Newly Renovated Commonwealth Stadium created the first ever SEC win with a victory over Missouri. More than 126 million dollars was spent on the ‘Transfiguration’ of the structure. Some ‘Transfiguration’s’ cost more than others.

Built in 1973, it is the newest football stadium in the Southeastern Conference, as measured by date of original construction. The original capacity for the stadium was 57,800.

In 1999 both ends of the stadium were enclosed and 40 suites were added, 10 in each corner of the stadium, resulting in a symmetrical oval bowl seating 67,530. The total cost of the expansion was $27.6 million. Seating adjustments over the next decade brought capacity to 67,942.

Recent upgrades included two LED video boards each measuring approximately 37 feet (11 m) high by 80 feet (24 m) wide (2,960 square feet), making each display the 20th-largest scoreboard in the country.

Combined, the 5,920 square feet (550 m2) made the new video boards one of the largest scoreboard systems in the country. Additionally, a new custom audio system and over 1,800 linear sq/ft of video ribbon board was implemented September 10, 2011.The
approximate cost of those upgrades totaled close to $6 million.

This new 2015 renovation includes a new press box, loge box seats, club seats, recruiting room, suites, concourses, bathrooms, lights and exterior facade while reducing capacity to around 61,000.

FRIDAY/PRE-GAME: As I am driving to the stadium, anticipation enters my system. I always go out with the same attitude. I play the role of ‘Marcus Aurelius’, wondering who or what I may encounter. What benefits will be exchanged?

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WHY IS IT CALLED DEATH VALLEY?

On Saturday, September 19, 2015, I witnessed a football game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. It was Auburn vs. LSU with a scheduled local start time of 2:30pm. CBS dictated the kickoff time. The game time temperature was 91 degrees, making it the 5th hottest game time temperature in the history of LSU football.

The heat index on the field registered 119 degrees. As the game played on, the medical staff was being taxed. There was carnage everywhere. I am not talking about the field. The carnage was laid out in the concourses and ramps of Tiger Stadium. As I looked around, I started to understand why Tiger Stadium was called ‘Death Valley’ or did I.

Before I continue, let the story unfold from Friday, the day before the game. As I drove into the lots next to Tiger Stadium, I looked for a parking place. Not wanting to get a ticket or have my rental towed, I decided to seek help.

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