The campus sports editor in East Lansing starts his coverage of a MSU milestone Saturday with just six words:
Spartan Stadium isn’t just a building.
Call it hyperbole if you scoff, but journalism student Matt Sheehan pulls out the stats behind the run-up to football game No. 500 at a stadium that began in 1923 with 14,000 wood bleachers and that stayed nameless for a dozen years.
Three hundred and thirty-six home wins, 30 All-Americans and six national titles later, the grounds of Spartan Stadium will host its 500th game. It will be the 500th time roaring fans and the men in green and white will be creating memories that could last a lifetime.
MSU hosts Indiana on Saturday for the 500th game at the East Lansing university's 90-year-old stadium.
The anniversary article, published on the eve of today's noon Homecoming game between the Spartans (4-1) and Indiana Hoosiers (3-2) , ticks off stadium upgrading highlights:
- 1935: It was named Macklin Field and seating capacity rose to 26,000.
- 1948: Capacity nearly doubled with installation of 51,000 concrete-reinforced seats.
- 1956: Seating was increased to 60,000.
- 1957: Upper decks were added on both sides.
- 2005: A $64-million expansion brought new suites, press boxes and a new west-end facade. Seating declined to 72,000.
In the interest of balance, it should be noted another Big 10 football landmark about 70 miles southeast is larger (82,000 seats) but was dedicated four years later (Oct. 22, 1927).
