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Blacksburg, Virginia // USA | Home to: Virginia Tech Hokies NCAA I-A - ACC // College Football

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Lane Stadium/Worsham Field is a stadium located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It is the home field of the Virginia Tech (VT) Hokies, a football team. It was rated as the “number one home field advantage” in all of college football in 2005 by Rivals.com.

Capacity 66,233
Opened 1965
Owner Virginia Tech
Operator Virginia Tech
Surface GreenTech ITM Natural Grass
Location Spring Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Construction cost $3 million USD

In 1963, Stuart K. Cassell, namesake of Cassell Coliseum and a former school administrator, proposed building a larger stadium to replace Miles Stadium, a 17,000-seat stadium. Construction of Lane Stadium began in April 1964. It took a total of four years to complete construction. However, the first game in the new stadium was played in 1965, when VT beat William & Mary 9-7. At the game, only the west stands and center section of the east bleachers were completed. It wasn’t until the summer of 1968 that construction was completed on Lane Stadium. It officially cost of $3.5 million. This brand new stadium seated 35,050 and featured a press box for guests, writers and stats crew-members, and scouts and coaches.

The stadium is named after Edward H. Lane, a graduate of the university and a former member of the Board of Visitors. Lane headed an educational foundation project which raised over $3 million for the original construction. Like many stadiums built at the time, the original stadium consisted of two bowed sideline grandstands and endzone bleachers.

Lane Stadium saw a calm first 20 years, but in the Eighties the stadium started expanding and updating technology that has lasted until 2005. The year 1980 saw the expansion of the west stands to increase the capacity to 52,500. Two years later, the Stadium installed a brand-new lighting system that would help the team get its first nationally broadcast game on WTBS. The game was a 21-14 win over state rival University of Virginia.

Before the 1989 season began, the Stadium received 16 flags to adorn the stadium. It also got a new paint job, which included the maroon and orange stripes inside the stadium.

On September 5, 1992, Worsham Field was dedicated in honor of Wes and Janet Worsham, longtime Hokie supporters from Kilmarnock, Virginia. The Worshams pledged $1 million to the university’s Second Century Campaign. The Campaign raised over $18.6 million — $1.7 million more than the original goal.

The latest expansion started following the completion of the 2004 season. The press box was removed and the structure was filled in to match what was built up during the 2004 season. The new boxes include a new press area, on the west side toward the south end zone, with a dining area and improved facilities. Also, the fencing that surrounds the stadium is removed and the area on the west side exterior of the stadium will be landscaped with walkways and a weekday parking lot for ticket patrons and Hall of Fame and Hokie Club visitors. New luxury suites, President’s area, four private club seating areas, concession stands, ticket office, athletic fund offices, an Athletics Hall of Fame and student academic services area are also included in this latest project.

The 2005 season also sees new addition to playing field. Hokie Stone now ordains the walls of each end zone. This goes with the outside of most of the university’s buildings. New kicking nets have also been installed in both end zones. A new video screen - 1/3 larger - has replaced the old one. New lights that will double the amount of light and reduce shadows on the field were added as part of the renovation too. The traditional “Home of the Fighting Gobblers” sign was also removed from the West Stands during this renovation.

(source .. wikipedia) reproduced under GFDL

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Images


Students Watching the Convocation Lane Stadium at Night I Lane Stadium at Night II

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Useful Links


The ACC.com - The Official website of the Atlantic Coast Conference
NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association website
Virginia Tech Hokies @ hokiesports.com
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University website

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