Wantland Stadium

Wantland Stadium
Location Edmond, Oklahoma
Owner University of Central Oklahoma
Operator University of Central Oklahoma
Capacity 10,000
Surface Field Turf
Construction
Opened September 18, 1965
Renovated 2005
Architect CDFM2 (now 360 Architecture) for 2005 renovations
Tenants
Central Oklahoma Bronchos (NCAA) (1965-present)
Memorial Bulldogs (OSSAA)(1965-present)
Santa Fe Wolves (OSSAA)(1993-2017)
Ed. North Huskies (OSSAA)(1994-present)

Wantland Stadium is the on-campus football facility for the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos in Edmond, Oklahoma. The official seating capacity of the stadium, following recent renovations, is 10,000, making it one of tied for the 16th largest Division II stadium, and tied for the largest in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (with Walton Stadium and Francis G. Welch Stadium of the University of Central Missouri and Emporia State University respectively).[1]

History

The stadium named for former Broncho coach Charles W. Wantland is a dual sided with a grass bowl that imitates a horseshoe-shaped facility with its long axis oriented north/south, with the south end enclosed by grass and the north end open enclosed. Visitor seating on the east end zone. The student seating sections are in Section 102 located in the west stands on the south side, next to the UCO Stampede of Sound which is near the south goalline.[2] The Bronchos' bench is also located along the west side.[3]

Wantland Stadium underwent a dramatic facelift in the summer of 2005 with the addition of a three-level press box that includes club seating and new stands on both sides of the field. Artificial turf, new lighting and a state-of-the-art scoreboard were added to the facility in 2003. In 2014 a new videoboard was installed.[4]

Events

The Stadium also hosted the 1982 NAIA Championship Game. The Bronchos played against Mesa State. The Bronchos clinched their 2nd crown winning 14-11, in front of a national audience on the USA Network.[5]

Wantland Stadium is the home field for all three Edmond high school teams, Memorial, North, and Santa Fe. Currently Edmond Public Schools leases the facility from UCO for $7,252 per game. As part of the lease EPS collects all revenue from ticket sales, and concessions.[6] UCO has hosted the Oklahoma All-State Football Game in the facility six times since 1994. The stadium also hosts the annual UCO Stampede of Sound's Invitational Marching Band Contest. It also has hosted the class 6A Oklahoma Bandmaster's Association (OBA) Marching Contest several times. In February 2015, voters passed a $91 million bond issue which included expansion of a football field near Santa Fe High School.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Wantland Stadium" (PDFpublisher=University of Central Oklahoma Athletics). July 27, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Wantland Stadium Map" (PDFpublisher=University of Central Oklahoma Athletics). July 25, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  3. ↑ Central Oklahoma Wantland Stadium at d2football.com
  4. ↑ "Wantland Stadium". University of Central Oklahoma Athletics. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Wantland Stadium". University of Central Oklahoma Athletics. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  6. ↑ "High schools: Edmond high schools hope to play football on campus". newsok.com. The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
  7. ↑ "Edmond School District's $90.6 million bond issue passes easily". Edmond Sun. Retrieved April 2, 2015.

Coordinates: 35°39′42″N 97°28′15″W / 35.661576°N 97.4708°W / 35.661576; -97.4708


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