Michie Stadium
Encyclopedia
Michie Stadium (ˈmaɪki) is an outdoor football
stadium located on the campus of the U.S. Military Academy
in West Point, New York
. It is the home field for the Army Black Knights
. It opened in 1924 and has a current seating capacity
of 38,000.
The stadium sits at the upper portion of campus, directly west of Lusk Reservoir
. The field is at an elevation of 335 feet (102 m) above sea level
and runs in the traditional north-south configuration, with the press box above the west sideline. Because of the view offered by its location overlooking the Hudson River
and the medieval-style campus below, it was rated as Sports Illustrated
s #3 sports venue of the 20th century.
, who was instrumental in starting football at the Academy in 1890. Michie organized, managed, and coached the first football team in history at West Point. He was later killed during the Spanish–American War in 1898. There have been several renovations since the stadium's first game in October 1924, when Army defeated Saint Louis, 17–0.
, the head coach
at West Point from 1941 to 1958. Blaik led Army to two national titles, in 1944 and 1945.
. This replaced AstroPlay, which had been used since 2001. The stadium's playing field was natural grass until AstroTurf
was installed in 1977.
, usually in Philadelphia
in early December.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
stadium located on the campus of the U.S. Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
. It is the home field for the Army Black Knights
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
. It opened in 1924 and has a current seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 38,000.
The stadium sits at the upper portion of campus, directly west of Lusk Reservoir
Lusk Reservoir
Lusk Reservoir is located next to Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy at West Point. It is open for fishing in the Spring and early Fall, and usually freezes over during the winter months. The volume of the reservoir is required knowledge of all freshmen at the Military Academy....
. The field is at an elevation of 335 feet (102 m) above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
and runs in the traditional north-south configuration, with the press box above the west sideline. Because of the view offered by its location overlooking the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
and the medieval-style campus below, it was rated as Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
s #3 sports venue of the 20th century.
Dennis Michie
Michie Stadium is dedicated to the memory of Dennis MichieDennis Michie
-External links:...
, who was instrumental in starting football at the Academy in 1890. Michie organized, managed, and coached the first football team in history at West Point. He was later killed during the Spanish–American War in 1898. There have been several renovations since the stadium's first game in October 1924, when Army defeated Saint Louis, 17–0.
Blaik Field
On September 25, 1999 the football field at Michie Stadium was named Blaik Field, in honor of Earl "Red" BlaikEarl Blaik
Earl Henry "Red" Blaik was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and United States Army officer. He served as the head football coach at Dartmouth College from 1934 to 1940 and at the United States Military Academy from 1941 to 1958, compiling a career college...
, the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
at West Point from 1941 to 1958. Blaik led Army to two national titles, in 1944 and 1945.
Playing surface
Since 2008, the playing surface has been FieldTurfFieldTurf
FieldTurf is a brand of artificial turf playing surface. It is manufactured and installed by the FieldTurf Tarkett division of Tarkett Inc., based in Calhoun, Georgia, USA. In the late 1990s, the artificial surface changed the industry with a design intended to replicate real grass...
. This replaced AstroPlay, which had been used since 2001. The stadium's playing field was natural grass until AstroTurf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
was installed in 1977.
Army–Navy Game
Michie Stadium has hosted the Army–Navy Game only once, in 1943. The rivalry game is normally played at a neutral site between the campuses on the East CoastEast Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
, usually in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
in early December.
External links
- Go Army Sports.com - official USMA athletics site - Michie stadium
- World Stadiums.com - photos - Michie Stadium
- Aerial photo (& topographic map) - Michie Stadium from USGS via Microsoft Research Maps