WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM
A lot of Cowboy football History has been made since War Memorial Stadium became the home of the University of Wyoming football team in the 1950 season. Dedicated as a "living memorial" to Wyoming's men and women who served in World War II, "The War" opened on Sept. 16, 1950, with a 61-13 win over Montana State. Though 6,000 fans enjoyed the victory, there was something missing. A scoreboard. The official dedication came the next week on Sept. 23 versus nationally-ranked Baylor. The Cowboys won that game 7-0.
War Memorial's original capacity was 20,000 in 1950. It
was expanded to 25,500 in 1970, and the seating was increased to its
current capacity of 33,500 in 1977.
When War Memorial Stadium opened in the 1950 season, it marked more than
just the opening of a new stadium – it marked the beginning of a new era
in Wyoming Football.The 1950 team coached by Bowden
Wyatt went on to post a perfect 10-0-0 record and earned Wyoming's first bowl
bid -- the 1951 Gator Bowl -- which UW won 20-7 over Washington & Lee on New
Year's Day 1951.
Construction Information
Original Cost of Project: $1,533,333 (War Memorial Stadium and Fieldhouse
Combined)
General Contractor: The Spiegelberg Lumber and Building Company of Laramie,
Wyo.
Architects: Porter and Bradley of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Associate Architects: Goodrich and Wilking of Casper, Wyo.
Construction Superintendent: Arnie Lane
Superintendent For Architects: Paul Towne
Date Field Landscaping Started: Aug. 15, 1949
Date Field Was First Seeded: Sept. 3, 1949
Date Contract Was Let: Feb. 9, 1950
Date of Groundbreaking: March 1, 1950
Date of First Game: Sept. 16, 1950 (Wyoming defeated Montana State 61-13)
Date Stadium Dedicated: Sept. 23, 1950 (Wyoming defeated Baylor 7-0 before
17,268 fans)
West Side Upper Deck Added: 1970
East Side Upper Deck Added : 1977
Elevation Information
Wyoming's War Memorial Stadium is the highest stadium in the county at over
7,200 feet (7,220 feet to be exact).
Attendance Information
Original Capacity in 1950: 20,000
Capacity After 1970 West Upper Deck Addition: 25,500
Capacity After 1977 East Upper Deck Addition: 33,500 (This is the current
capacity.)
Total Attendance Entering 1999 Season: 4,395,934
Million Milestones
First Million Fans: Oct. 7, 1967 vs. Brigham Young, 75th Game in War Memorial
Second Million Fans: Sept. 17, 1977 vs. UTEP, 128th Game in War Memorial
Third Million Fans: Oct. 11, 1986 vs. Utah, 181st Game in War Memorial
Fourth Million Fans: Oct. 28, 1995 vs. Colorado State, 231st Game in War
Memorial
Wyoming's Record in War Memorial Stadium
Number of Games Played in The War Entering 1999 Season: 252 games
Wyoming's Home Record in the 1950s: 30-9-4 (.744)
Wyoming's Home Record in the 1960s: 37- 4-1 (.893)
Wyoming's Home Record in the 1970s: 26-25-1 (.510)
Wyoming's Home Record in the 1980s: 44-16-0 (.733)
Wyoming's Home Record in the 1990s: 41-13-1 (.755)
Wyoming's All-Time Home Record in War Memorial Stadium: 178-67-7 (.720)
Last 10 Years in War Memorial Stadium: 45-15-1 (.758)
