Tulane Stadium

Tulane Stadium was a stadium located in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the campus of Tulane University. The stadium was home to the Tulane Green Wave football team and hosted numerous events, including the Sugar Bowl and the New Orleans Saints. The stadium's construction was made possible by the efforts of Tulane University's president, Norman Spencer, and the architectural firm Duncan & Spencer. The stadium's design was influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, and its construction was overseen by United States Army Corps of Engineers.

● History

The history of the stadium dates back to 1924, when Tulane University began construction on the site. The stadium was built on a former plantation owned by the Canal Bank and Trust Company, and its construction was funded by a combination of private donations and public funding from the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. The stadium was officially opened on October 23, 1926, with a game between the Tulane Green Wave football team and the Texas A&M Aggies. The stadium quickly became a popular venue for college football games, hosting teams such as the LSU Tigers, the Ole Miss Rebels, and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The stadium also hosted several Sugar Bowl games, including the 1943 game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, and the 1950 game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats.

● Design and Construction

The design of the stadium was influenced by the Neoclassical architecture style, with a combination of Romanesque and Gothic elements. The stadium's construction was overseen by the architectural firm Duncan & Spencer, which had previously designed several other buildings on the Tulane University campus, including the Tulane University Library and the McAlister Auditorium. The stadium's seating capacity was approximately 80,000, making it one of the largest stadiums in the Southern United States at the time. The stadium's playing surface was made of grass, and its drainage system was designed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The stadium's construction was also influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, who had designed several other buildings in the New Orleans area, including the Longue Vue House and Gardens and the New Orleans Museum of Art.

● Tenants and Events

The stadium was home to the Tulane Green Wave football team, which played its home games at the stadium from 1926 to 1979. The stadium also hosted several other events, including the Sugar Bowl, the New Orleans Saints, and the LSU Tigers. The stadium hosted several notable games, including the 1943 Sugar Bowl game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, and the 1950 game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats. The stadium also hosted several concerts and festivals, including performances by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. The stadium was also used as a venue for several high school football games, including the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state championships.

● Renovations and Demolition

In the 1960s and 1970s, the stadium underwent several renovations, including the installation of new seating and the construction of a new press box. However, despite these renovations, the stadium began to show signs of aging, and Tulane University began to consider building a new stadium. In 1979, the university announced plans to demolish the stadium and replace it with a new, smaller stadium, Yulman Stadium. The demolition of the stadium was overseen by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the site was cleared to make way for the new stadium. The demolition of the stadium was met with opposition from some members of the Tulane University community, who argued that the stadium was a historic landmark and should be preserved. However, the university ultimately decided to proceed with the demolition, and the stadium was demolished on November 18, 1979.

● Legacy

The legacy of the stadium lives on, with many Tulane University alumni and fans still remembering the stadium fondly. The stadium's history and significance have been recognized by several organizations, including the National Park Service and the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office. The stadium's design and construction have also been studied by architects and historians, who have praised its unique blend of Neoclassical architecture and Romanesque elements. The stadium's impact on the New Orleans community has also been recognized, with many local residents and businesses still benefiting from the economic boost provided by the stadium during its heyday. Today, the site of the former stadium is home to Yulman Stadium, which was built in 2014 and serves as the new home of the Tulane Green Wave football team. The new stadium has been designed to pay homage to the original stadium, with a similar design and layout. The stadium's legacy continues to be felt, with many Tulane University fans and alumni still celebrating the history and tradition of the original stadium. Category:Defunct stadiums in the United States