Clyde Williams Field

Clyde Williams Field was the primary athletic stadium for Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa for six decades. Primarily serving as the home of the Iowa State Cyclones football team, the venue also hosted baseball, track and field, and major campus events. Its history is deeply intertwined with the growth of Cyclone athletics and the broader landscape of Midwestern college sports before its replacement by modern facilities.

History

The stadium's construction began in 1914 under the direction of Iowa State president William M. Beardshear, opening for the 1915 football season. It was initially known simply as State Field before being formally renamed in 1923 to honor Clyde Williams, a revered former football coach and athletic director for the Cyclones. For its first fifteen years, the facility was a rudimentary wooden grandstand structure, emblematic of early 20th-century collegiate athletic venues. The stadium's early era coincided with the coaching tenures of figures like A. H. "Pop" Warner disciple Sam Willaman and saw the Cyclones compete against regional rivals in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

Facilities and features

The original 1915 construction featured a single wooden grandstand on the west sideline, with a capacity of approximately 3,000 spectators. A major expansion in 1928, funded by the Iowa State Alumni Association, added a concrete horseshoe design that enclosed the south end zone and increased capacity to around 14,000. The playing surface was natural grass and was oriented in a north-south alignment. The field was encircled by a cinder track for its first decade of use, supporting the university's track and field program. The stadium's press box and locker room facilities were considered modest even for their time, reflecting its role as a practical, no-frills venue for Big Six Conference athletics.

Events and usage

Beyond its primary function for Iowa State Cyclones football games, the field was a multi-sport hub. It was the home diamond for the Iowa State Cyclones baseball team until Cap Timm Field opened in 1948. The stadium also hosted significant track and field meets, including dual competitions against universities like the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska. It was the site of major campus gatherings, such as commencement ceremonies, military training exercises during World War II, and performances by the Iowa State Cyclone Marching Band. The annual rivalry game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, part of the Cy-Hawk Series, was a highlight on its calendar for many years.

Renovations and upgrades

The most significant renovation was the 1928 concrete reconstruction, which transformed the stadium from a wooden bleacher into a more permanent structure. Subsequent decades saw periodic but minor upgrades, including improved lighting for night events and repairs to the concrete stands. However, by the 1960s, the facility had fallen behind the standards of the newly formed Big Eight Conference, with peers like the University of Oklahoma and the University of Colorado investing in larger, modern stadiums. Discussions for a replacement began in the late 1960s, culminating in the construction of Jack Trice Stadium, with final games at the aging venue held in 1974.

Notable moments

The field witnessed the early successes of coach George F. Veenker and his 1938 team that tied for the Big Six Conference championship. In 1960, it was the site of a major upset where the Cyclones defeated a Bear Bryant-coached Texas A&M Aggies team. The venue also hosted legendary players like Jack Trice, whose memory was later honored with the naming of the university's new stadium. Its final football game was played on November 16, 1974, a victory over the University of Kansas. The structure was demolished in 1975, with the site later repurposed for the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center and other academic buildings, though a historical marker commemorates its location.