Lubbers Stadium

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Lubbers Stadium
Full name Arend D. Lubbers Stadium
Former names Lakers Stadium (9-15-1973 to 9-14-1979)
Address 4415 Stadium Drive, Allendale, MI 49401
Location GVSU Main Campus
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Owner Grand Valley State University
Operator Grand Valley State University
Capacity 10,444 (2012-present)
8,950 (2011)
8,550 (1979-2010)
Record attendance 16,467 (2009)[1]
Surface FieldTurf (2012-present)
Kentucky Bluegrass (1973-2011)
Scoreboard Daktronics with ProStar video display board
Construction
Opened September 15, 1973 [3]
Expanded 1998, 2008, 2011, 2012 [2]
Tenants
Grand Valley State Lakers football (NCAA Division II) (1973-present)

Lubbers Stadium, or Arend D. Lubbers Stadium, is a stadium on the Grand Valley State University's main campus in Allendale, Michigan, USA. The stadium was named after former university president Arend Lubbers.[4] It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Grand Valley State Lakers. "Lakers Stadium" - as it was originally known - was constructed in 1972, and opened in 1973. It now officially seats 10,444 people - though it almost always holds thousands more fans.[4][5] The stadium is also home to a football weight training facility.[4]

History

"Lakers Stadium" - as it was originally known - hosted its first football game on September 15, 1973 against Kalamazoo College. The Lakers won their first ever home game by defeating the Hornets 27-14.[6] The stadium was officially dedicated and formally named "Arend D. Lubbers Stadium" on September 15, 1979.[7]

Location

Lubbers Stadium is located in the northwest part of campus along with most all other athletics facilities, just north of the Kelly Family Sports Center and just south of Lake Michigan Drive.

Center

Expansion

Beginning in the spring of 2011, Lubbers Stadium began undergoing a series of expansions and renovations that will increase capacity, concessions, and restroom facilities. The improvements are being paid for by several large private gifts.[8]

2011

The first year of expansion included replacing the student seating section with new stands, increasing student seating by 400 seats and wrapping around the corners of the stadium creating a horseshoe. Permanent concession stands and restrooms behind student section were also built to accommodate the increase in seating and the fans sitting in the south end. The wooden benches in the east and west grandstands were wrapped in blue acrylic plastic to provide more comfortable seating and a longer lifespan.

2012

In second year of renovations the field was lowered by eight feet and the outdoor track surface was removed and replaced by the new track and lacrosse stadium that was constructed on the south side of campus. Lowering the field gave the opportunity to add four rows of seating down toward the field in a horseshoe configuration, adding 2,000 seats. Chair-back seats were added in four of the new sections behind the home sideline. A grass slope was built behind the north end zone and in front of the video board for overflow seating and the band section was moved to the southeast corner. The field was then replaced with an artificial turf playing surface.[9]

Beyond

Designed with the future in mind, the stadium can have permanent seating added when needed, with ultimate expansion to 20,000 seats.[4] In the years beyond this expansion the University plans on adding visiting locker rooms under the east grandstand and remove the existing press box and replace it with a larger one to add more seating and sky boxes. These improvements would be paid for by a public fund raising campaign.

Attendance records

Highest Attendance at Lubbers Stadium
Rank Attendance Year Game result
1 16,467 [10] 2009 Grand Valley 38, Saginaw Valley 7
2 16,121 [11] 2015 Grand Valley 24, Ferris State 61
3 15,139 [12] 2012 Grand Valley 83, Notre Dame (Ohio) 46
4 15,004 [13] 2011 Grand Valley 44, Western Oregon 20
5 14,612 2008 Grand Valley 31, Ferris State 13
6 14,557 2005 Grand Valley 30, Ferris State 10
7 14,472 2005 Grand Valley 31, Saginaw Valley 10

[4]

Stadium traditions

  • "Cannons" – After every touchdown or field goal score by GVSU, "cannons" or fireworks are shot off behind the student section on the south end of the stadium.
  • "Grass slopes" – Grass slopes have existed in Lubbers Stadium since its initial construction. Through various expansions and renovations, the athletic department has made it a priority to preserve a grass slope in the stadium.[8]
  • "Rowing" – After every touchdown or field goal score by GVSU, the Laker student section sits down and "rows" like a rowboat the total number of points scored by the team thus far in the game.
  • "Lubbers Leap" - When the team enters the field from the north ramp prior to kickoff they run across the field and leap into the student section in the south endzone.

References

  1. ↑ "No. 1 Grand Valley State Claims A 38-7 Win Over No. 13 Saginaw Valley State" GVSU Lakers, Accessed September 13, 2009
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Verification phone call to GVSU Athletic Information Office on 12/10/15.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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