Time
Line:
April 16, 1930
Construction begins on original Florida Field
October
27, 1930
Construction completed on original Florida Field (capacity 21,769)... The
original stadium consisted of the lower half of the current stadium
November 8, 1930
Dedication of Florida Field as sellout crowd of of 21,769 watches Florida
vs. Alabama... The legendary Red Barber, a UF student, calls the
play-by-play
October 13, 1934
Florida Field dedicated to memory of servicemen who died in World War I
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December 16,
1949
Plans drawn to add 11,200 seats to west stands... Expansion completed for
1950 season, bringing total capacity including temporary bleachers to
40,116
September 23, 1950
The first night game is played at Florida Field versus The Citadel
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December,
1965
Construction starts on east side 10,000-seat addition, bringing permanent
seating to 56,164... Also temporary bleachers moved to south end zone for
total capacity of 62,800 during 1966 season.
April, 1971
Artificial surface installed |
September
9, 1989
Football stadium named Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field during
dedication ceremonies. The stadium is named in honor of Ben Hill Griffin
Jr., a life-long Gator supporter and fan who had been extremely benevolent
and generous to several sectors at the University of Florida
June
30, 1990
Natural grass replaces artificial turf at Florida Field
September, 1991
Construction completed on new north end zone... Capacity now stands at
83,000, making Florida Field one of the eight largest on-campus collegiate
football stadiums in the nation and the largest in the state of
Florida...The north end zone addition costs $17 million, but involves no
state funding
November 30, 1991
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the site of the largest football crowd
(collegiate or professional) in state of Florida history (85,461 vs. FSU)...
During the 1991 and 1992 seasons the stadium will be the site of the 12
largest crowds in state history
October 12, 1991
The official dedication of the new north end zone is held, as Florida
meets Tennessee... Red Barber, who called the original dedication game in
1930, is UF's special guest of honor
End of 1991 Season
Head Coach Steve Spurrier tags Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field
"The Swamp"... Spurrier says, "The swamp is where Gators
live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative.
A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous."
Prior to 1998 Season
Florida completed a $5 million renovation of the Ben Hill Griffin Training
Complex in the south endzone, making the facility one of the nation's
elite.
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