American Legion Memorial Stadium
Encyclopedia
American Legion Memorial Stadium is 21,000-capacity stadium located on 7th Street in the Elizabeth community of Charlotte, North Carolina
. Memorial Stadium is mainly used for high school sporting events and also serves as a public venue. Prior to the construction of nearby Bank of America Stadium
, Memorial Stadium was Charlotte's largest outdoor venue, and is still the largest municipal venue in the city.
Ground was broken on the stadium in 1934 and the gates were officially opened two years later in 1936. Named in honor of local soldiers who fell in World War I
, the stadium was a project of the Works Progress Administration
.
Throughout the years the stadium has hosted events of every kind, ranging from Presidential addresses to classic professional wrestling
encounters featuring local hero Ric Flair
. The stadium formerly hosted Charlotte (Central) High School (which is now Garinger
).For many years afterward as the city grew and opened more high schools, the stadium was used practically every week during the football season to accommodate both schools which had no campus stadium and large crowds which some campus stadiums could not contain for the more popular match-ups. The stadium continues to play a large role in Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school football to this day as it hosts big ticket match-ups such as Butler
v. Independence.
It is located on a complex with the Grady Cole Center
. Both are located next to Central Piedmont Community College
. Independence Park
Stadium, a tiny public baseball stadium, is also close by.
For the past few years the stadium has hosted several band competitions. It has hosted the battle of the Bands between the biggest HBCUs in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. It has also hosted Drum Corps International
competitions hosted by Carolina Crown.
For several years (until the mid-1990s) the stadium annually hosted the Shrine Bowl which was a match-up of the top high school football players in North Carolina and South Carolina.
In late 2009 the east end of the stadium suffered significant damage after a storm drain under the structure caved in causing the stand to collapse. The stadium was closed for several months while repairs were made, in July 2010 the stadium was reopened with a reduced capacity as a grass berm largely replaced the old seating.
It was reported in January 2011 that Memorial Stadium will serve as the home field for the newly announced Charlotte Major League Lacrosse
team. The Charlotte Hounds are scheduled to begin play in the 2012 season.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. Memorial Stadium is mainly used for high school sporting events and also serves as a public venue. Prior to the construction of nearby Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...
, Memorial Stadium was Charlotte's largest outdoor venue, and is still the largest municipal venue in the city.
Ground was broken on the stadium in 1934 and the gates were officially opened two years later in 1936. Named in honor of local soldiers who fell in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the stadium was a project of the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
.
Throughout the years the stadium has hosted events of every kind, ranging from Presidential addresses to classic professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
encounters featuring local hero Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
. The stadium formerly hosted Charlotte (Central) High School (which is now Garinger
Garinger High School
Garinger High School is a high school located in the Shamrock area of Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1959, it was one of the oldest remaining schools in Charlotte. Garinger was in essence the relocation of Central High School, Charlotte's first high school. That school was founded in 1909...
).For many years afterward as the city grew and opened more high schools, the stadium was used practically every week during the football season to accommodate both schools which had no campus stadium and large crowds which some campus stadiums could not contain for the more popular match-ups. The stadium continues to play a large role in Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school football to this day as it hosts big ticket match-ups such as Butler
David W. Butler High School
David W. Butler High School, established in 1997, is located in Matthews, North Carolina. Butler's campus is .46% of the Butler teaching staff hold a master’s degree or above. - Official Bulldog Logo :- Athletics :...
v. Independence.
It is located on a complex with the Grady Cole Center
Grady Cole Center
Grady Cole Center is a small civic center located near Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina.The 3,000 seat center is located near the city's center, and can host several types of events. It was built in 1954 to replace the Charlotte Armory Arena, which had been destroyed...
. Both are located next to Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College is a large community college in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The school was founded in 1963; it is the result of a merger between Mecklenburg College and the Central Industrial Education Center....
. Independence Park
Independence Park (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Independence Park is a 24 acre urban park at 300 Hawthorne Lane situated at the western end of the Elizabeth neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina...
Stadium, a tiny public baseball stadium, is also close by.
For the past few years the stadium has hosted several band competitions. It has hosted the battle of the Bands between the biggest HBCUs in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. It has also hosted Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International
Drum Corps International , formed in 1972, is the non-profit governing body operating the North American drum and bugle corps circuit for junior corps, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 21. It is the counterpart of Drum Corps Associates which governs senior or all-age drum corps...
competitions hosted by Carolina Crown.
For several years (until the mid-1990s) the stadium annually hosted the Shrine Bowl which was a match-up of the top high school football players in North Carolina and South Carolina.
In late 2009 the east end of the stadium suffered significant damage after a storm drain under the structure caved in causing the stand to collapse. The stadium was closed for several months while repairs were made, in July 2010 the stadium was reopened with a reduced capacity as a grass berm largely replaced the old seating.
It was reported in January 2011 that Memorial Stadium will serve as the home field for the newly announced Charlotte Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
team. The Charlotte Hounds are scheduled to begin play in the 2012 season.