Reser Stadium
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Reser Stadium (originally named Parker Stadium) is a sports facility in Corvallis, Oregon owned and operated by Oregon State University and is the home field for the Oregon State Beavers football team.
[edit] History and use
The stadium was built in 1953 and named in honor of Portland businessman Charles T. Parker, who played a significant role in the initial fundraising. The stadium was renamed in 1999 to honor one of the school's major athletic donors, the Reser family, owners of Reser's Fine Foods.[1] The Parker name is still honored at Parker Plaza, located between Reser and Gill Coliseum, the site of many pregame activities.
The stadium is located on the southwest corner of the Oregon State campus, at the intersection of 26th Street and Western Boulevard in Corvallis. In addition to football, intramural and club sports also use the facility occasionally, most notably the field hockey and soccer programs.
The stadium alternates with Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon in hosting the Civil War game between Oregon and Oregon State.
[edit] Expansion and upgrades
Prior to the 2005-06 seasons, the official capacity of the stadium stood at 35,362. However, the Raising Reser campaign, begun in 2003, has seen the current capacity increase to 43,300 with the addition of a new east grandstand, and seeks to further boost seating to 55,000 through three phases of renovation.
"Phase Two" of the Raising Reser project, which began in December 2006 and will reach completion prior to the 2007 football season, will focus on expanding seating in the south end zone by wrapping the recently renovated east grandstand around to the west grandstand. This addition will raise total seating capacity to 46,200 and also include the installation of an 80 ft. x 30 ft. ProStar Digital VideoPlus Display, which will be the largest display in the Pac-10.[2]
Prior to 1999, the stadium's playing surface was grass (and sometimes—as with the 3-0 victory over previously-undefeated USC in 1967—mud). In 1999, the grass was replaced with AstroTurf 12/2000; in 2005, FieldTurf surface was installed.
The north end zone is also home to the Valley Football Center, which houses a large weight room, offices and meeting facilities, reserved primarily for coaches and administrators within the football program.
