Ross-Ade Stadium
Encyclopedia
Ross–Ade Stadium is a stadium
in West Lafayette, Indiana
, United States
. It is the home of the Purdue University
Boilermakers
football team.
, which had been hosting Purdue football since 1892. It is named for David E. Ross and George Ade
, the principal benefactors. Ross–Ade Stadium opened on November 22, 1924 with a seating capacity
of 13,500 and standing room for an additional 5,000 people. A series of additions and renovations pushed the seating capacity
to almost 68,000 (70,000 with standing room). In 2001 Purdue University
began a $70 million renovation, which led to a reduced seating capacity
of 62,500.
While originally thought that both Phases II and III would be solely dependent upon future ticket sales, Athletic Director Morgan Burke indicated in early 2009 that the project may move forward in the near future, regardless of season ticket sales.
and Burke to remove seating in the south end zone to use the land for alternative purposes. Tiller, and subsequently the school's architectural department, has proposed using the land for football administrative offices and locker rooms. Burke has proposed shaping the land into a landscaped hill, providing lush views of campus scenery.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in West Lafayette, Indiana
West Lafayette, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 29,596 people, 12,591 households, and 3,588 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,381.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 74.3% White, 17.3% Asian, 2.7% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.03% Pacific...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the home of the Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
Boilermakers
Purdue Boilermakers
Boilermakers is the official nickname for the intercollegiate athletic teams of Purdue University. As is common with athletic nicknames, it is also used as colloquial designation of Purdue's students and alumni at large....
football team.
History
The stadium was built to replace Stuart FieldStuart Field
Stuart Field was a stadium at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was the home field of the Purdue Boilermakers football team from 1892 until 1924 when Ross–Ade Stadium opened. Purdue's baseball team continued to play at Stuart Field until 1940. The Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music is...
, which had been hosting Purdue football since 1892. It is named for David E. Ross and George Ade
George Ade
George Ade was an American writer, newspaper columnist, and playwright.-Biography:Ade was born in Kentland, Indiana, one of seven children raised by John and Adaline Ade. While attending Purdue University, he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity...
, the principal benefactors. Ross–Ade Stadium opened on November 22, 1924 with a 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 13,500 and standing room for an additional 5,000 people. A series of additions and renovations pushed the 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...
to almost 68,000 (70,000 with standing room). In 2001 Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
began a $70 million renovation, which led to a reduced 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 62,500.
Renovations
In the spring of 2000, it was announced that Ross–Ade would undergo a three-phase renovation, beginning the following year. A breakdown of each phase is as follows:Phase I (2001-2003)
- Replace the 50-year-old Woodworth Memorial Press Box, located on the west side of the stadium, with a four-story pavilion, housing the Shively Media Center, 34 luxury suites, and a 200-seat indoor club level
- Add outdoor club seats with exclusive access to the pavilion’s suites
- Expand the main concourse
- Add new bathrooms and concession stands
- Add a new “grand staircase” to the south end of the stadium
- Replace all concrete and benches
Phase III (TBA)
- Add upper deck to north bend of stadium, connecting east upper deck and Pavilion
While originally thought that both Phases II and III would be solely dependent upon future ticket sales, Athletic Director Morgan Burke indicated in early 2009 that the project may move forward in the near future, regardless of season ticket sales.
Additional proposals
There has been a desire expressed by both former head coach Joe TillerJoe Tiller
Joe Tiller is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Wyoming from 1991 to 1996 and Purdue University from 1997 to 2008, compliling a career college football record of 126–92–1...
and Burke to remove seating in the south end zone to use the land for alternative purposes. Tiller, and subsequently the school's architectural department, has proposed using the land for football administrative offices and locker rooms. Burke has proposed shaping the land into a landscaped hill, providing lush views of campus scenery.
Other renovations
- In 2004, a limestone and brick tunnel was dedicated to the memory of the 17 football players, coaches, alumni, and fans who died in the 1903 Purdue WreckPurdue WreckThe Purdue Wreck was a railroad train collision in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 31, 1903, that killed 17 people, including 14 players on the Purdue University football team.Two special trains operated by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St...
in Indianapolis. - In June 2006, the Kentucky bluegrass was replaced by Bermuda grass. The Prescription Athletic Turf system is still in use.
- In July 2006, Action Sports Media announced a ten-year partnership with Purdue, helping finance the installation of a new state-of-the-art end zone video board and sideline advertising panel. The new technology was installed in time for the start of the 2007 season.