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the Swamp On football Saturdays, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
at Florida Field is the place to be. Also known as "the Swamp"
where "only Gators come out alive," the stadium is home to the SEC
powerhouse University of Florida Gator Football Team. It also is
the site for high school state championship games each December.
the original football stadium, the lower half of
the current stadium, was constructed in 1930. the completion of
the South End Zone project in August of 1982 raised the seating
capacity to over 72,000. the addition of the North End Zone in
1991 brought the capacity over 84,000 seats.
In August of 2003, the fifth renovation in the
history of the stadium was completed and increased capacity to
88,548. the entire project cost $50 million and was built with no
state money. the project made Florida Field the largest stadium in
the state of Florida and one of the largest and loudest anywhere
in the country. Get
Florida Gator
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Time Line:
April 16, 1930
Construction begins on original Florida Field
October 27, 1930
Construction completed on original Florida Field (capacity 21,769)... the original
stadium consisted of the lower half of the current stadium
November 8, 1930
Dedication of Florida Field as sellout crowd of of 21,769 watches Florida vs.
Alabama... the legendary Red Barber, a UF student, calls the play-by-play
October 13, 1934
Florida Field dedicated to memory of servicemen who died in World War I
December 16, 1949
Plans drawn to add 11,200 seats to west stands... Expansion completed for 1950
season, bringing total capacity including temporary bleachers to 40,116
September 23, 1950
the first night game is played at Florida Field versus the Citadel
December, 1965
Construction starts on east side 10,000-seat addition, bringing permanent seating
to 56,164... Also temporary bleachers moved to south end zone for total capacity
of 62,800 during 1966 season
April, 1971
Artificial surface installed
August, 1982
Completion of south end zone, bringing capacity to 72,000... Also athletic training
center and skybox tower and modern press box involved in this project
September 9, 1989
Football stadium named Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field during dedication
ceremonies. the stadium is named in honor of Ben Hill Griffin Jr., a life-long
Gator supporter and fan who had been extremely benevolent and generous to several
sectors at the University of Florida
June 30, 1990
Natural grass replaces artificial turf at Florida Field
September, 1991
Construction completed on new north end zone... Capacity now stands at 83,000,
making Florida Field one of the eight largest on-campus collegiate football stadiums
in the nation and the largest in the state of Florida...the north end zone addition
costs $17 million, but involves no state funding
November 30, 1991
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the site of the largest football crowd (collegiate
or professional) in state of Florida history (85,461 vs. FSU)... During the 1991
and 1992 seasons the stadium will be the site of the 12 largest crowds in state
history
October 12, 1991
the official dedication of the new north end zone is held, as Florida meets Tennessee...
Red Barber, who called the original dedication game in 1930, is UF's special guest
of honor
End of 1991 Season
Head Coach Steve Spurrier tags Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field "the
Swamp"... Spurrier says, "the swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable
there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and
can be dangerous."
August of 1998
A $2.1 million video project allows fans to catch game action on the new Daktronics LED Video Board located in the SEZ or on one of the 23 monitors located underneath the North and South endzone mezzanines. A $4.8 million renovation of the South Endzone complex expands the locker room, strength and conditioning area and medical training area to 51,000 square feet. the complex, which features displays on Gator Greats, also includes a 130-seat amphiorlando squad meeting room.
Prior to 2003 Season
Construction was completed on a two-year, $50 million stadium expansion/renovation that includes the addition of 2,900 luxury club seats, expanded press level, renovated and enlarged Bull Gator Deck, enlarged President's Suite and 34 additional suites that was funded by private support from Gator Boosters and fans.
Prior to 2004 Season
A high resolution video board highlights the brand new Daktronics scoreboard in the north end of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In addition, a state-of-the-art sound system was installed throughout the stadium.
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