Countdown to Kickoff: Before The Loud House There Was Archbold Stadium
8/11/2003 9:26:48 AM | Football
In addition to providing the University and its fans with an aesthetically beautiful stadium, Archbold granted the Orangemen football team a distinct home field advantage. The Orange went 265-112-20 all-time at the stadium, and at times were nearly unbeatable. From 1915 to 1927, Syracuse achieved a home record of 61-10-6. Then, during the 11-year stretch from 1958-1968, SU won 47 and lost six at Archbold.
Construction on the facility began in September of 1906 and was completed 10 months later. John D. Archbold’s gift of $600,000 to the University in 1905 made building the stadium possible. He was the vice president of Standard Oil and the president of SU’s Board of Trustees from 1892 until his death in 1916.
The stadium formed a massive oval, 670 feet long and 475 feet wide. It was 100 feet longer and only 22 feet thinner than the Carrier Dome and more than 6 million Orange football fans passed through its gates.
In 1907, the Orangemen defeated Hobart 28-0 in the first contest played within its walls. Three-hundred ninety-six games later, in 1978, Joe Morris said farewell to the structure by rushing for 203 yards and leading SU to an improbable victory over nationally-ranked Navy, 20-17.
For 71 years, the facility treated SU fans to many memorable seasons and performances. It was at Archbold in 1956 that Jim Brown scored 43 points in a single game versus Colgate. Scoring six touchdowns and kicking seven extra-points. In addition to Syracuse sports legends, many of America’s favorite sports figures contributed to the history of Archbold. Football greats like Jim Thorpe, and Coach Pop Warner led the Carlislie Indians into the stadium in 1911 and even Babe Ruth graced the field at Archbold Stadium to play in several exhibition baseball games.
Syracuse begins the season on Saturday, September 6 at North Carolina. Game time is 1:30 p.m. The Orangemen will kickoff a seven-game home schedule on September 13 when they host Louisville. SU will then host Central Florida on September 20 at Noon in a game that will be televised by ESPN Regional, followed by a game against Toledo at 6:30 p.m. on September 27.
For ticket information and prices, call the Carrier Dome box office at 1-888-DOMETIX. Tickets are available at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), by telephone (888-DOMETIX) or on the Internet www.dometix.com .
