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One of the most complete and aesthetically pleasing stadiums in the Western Athletic Conference, Bulldog Stadium has served as the home of Fresno State football since the 1980 season. Entering its 25th season of hosting the Bulldogs, the facility has established itself as one of the most difficult places to win for visiting teams.
Fresno State has gone 122-30-2 at Bulldog Stadium since 1980, good for a winning percentage of nearly 80 percent. Even more impressive is the team's success since 1999, during which time the Bulldogs have gone 30-4. Included in that record are victories over Oregon State (twice), Colorado State and California. Since Pat Hill took over as head coach in 1997, Fresno State is 38-7 (.844) at home.
Much of that success stems from an environment considered the nosiest in the WAC. Featuring a capacity of 41,031, the stadium has been filled at near 100 percent capacity ever since record crowds began to pour into the facility in 2001. No other conference team has experienced the consistently high attendance as have the Bulldogs.
The large crowds and loyal fan support is one reason why CBSSportsline.com has voted the nation's 23rd-best college football facility.
"The atmosphere and fans give the Bulldogs a huge advantage at home," wrote Dennis Dodd, who ranked Bulldog Stadium above such stadiums as those at Florida State, Ohio State and Miami (Fla.).
Featuring a natural grass playing surface and a tree-lined concourse, Bulldog Stadium underwent a two-phase expansion project in 1991 which included the addition of more than 10,000 seats -- increasing the stadium's capacity from 30,000 to 41,031 -- and the construction of 22 sky suites. Other improvements included additional restrooms and concession facilities.
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The first phase entailed filling in the panels beyond the north and south end zones with bench seating and the reconfiguration of the seating on the stadium's east side. The second phase, completed prior to the '92 season, featured the addition of 22 sky suites, each of which includes seating for 20, among other amenities.
The stadium expansion was a result of the overwhelming fan support the Bulldogs have enjoyed since the early 1980s. In the years just prior to expansion, Fresno State played before crowds well in excess of the official 30,000-seat capacity in 36 of 37 possible home dates. In 1993, one year after expansion was completed, the Bulldogs averaged 39,536 fans during their six home dates.
Original construction of Bulldog Stadium began in June of 1979 following what was then the most successful capital fundraising project ever undertaken in the San Joaquin Valley. Local residents raised in excess of $7 million for the project. No state tax dollars or student fees were used to build the stadium.
Built partially below ground level with the playing field 37 feet below grade, the bowl features a low profile appearance. A unique cantilevered lighting system extends toward the field and is directed downward to concentrate lighting on the playing surface.
Chair seating for more than 5,000 spectators is located on the west side of the stadium between the 18-yard lines to accommodate the contributors of the $7 million.
The remaining seating, with the exception of the recent addition of 3,240 chairback seats on the east side, is on aluminum benches.
Fresno State defeated Montana State 21-14 on Nov. 15, 1980, in the first game played in the stadium. In 2000, the Bulldogs set a new single-season attendance record when they averaged 42,410 fans, the 22nd-best mark in the nation. The following season, in which Fresno State achieved a program-record national ranking of No. 8, was even better. The Bulldogs set a new record by averaging 42,802 fans, including stadium single-game records of 42,881 in each of the last five contests of that year.
Bulldog Stadium was also home to the California Raisin Bowl from 1981-91. Fresno State played in the game five times, winning the title on four occasions.
Growing into the Future
Fresno State offers the finest in medical care. The recently renovated Duncan Training Room has state-of-the-art equipment and has a complete private doctor's evaluation office.
The Pride of the Valley
Thanks to generous contributions from the community, the Valley Growers Practice Field rivals any NFL facility. With two lighted fields and a spacious covered outdoor weight room, the Bulldogs have the premier college practice facility on the West Coast.
Strength in Training
Fresno State's state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center is the newest and one of the largest weight complexes in the WAC. Able to accommodate more than 100 student-athletes at a time, it features 26 tons of custom steel weights, eight Olympic lifting platforms, a 40-yard plyometric track (including an electronic timing system), and several pieces of Kaiser pneumatic equipment used for high speed power training.
Academic Committment
Fresno State's commitment to academic success is evident in the vast improvements being made on campus. The Ricchiuti Academic Center, which will be completed in October 2004, is a $5 million facility that will assist all Bulldog student-athletes to achieve their academic goals. The RAC will house new offices for the Student-Athletes Services staff, a new computer lab, plus teaching and tutorial stations. When completed, it will rival any facility of its kind in the nation.
Fresno State's 'Doghouse Dynasty 1980 1-0 1.000 1981 2-3 .400 1982 8-0 1.000 1983 3-4 .429 1984 4-2 .667 1985 6-0-1 .929 1986 8-0 1.000 1987 5-1 .833 1988 6-0 1.000 1989 8-0 1.000 1990 6-0-1 .929 1991 6-1 .857 1992 5-1 .833 1993 6-0 1.000 1994 3-4 .429 1995 4-2 .667 1996 3-3 .500 1997 4-2 .667 1998 4-1 .800 1999 6-0 1.000 1999 5-0 1.000 2000 5-0 1.000 2001 5-1 .833 2002 5-1 .833 2003 5-1 .833 2004 4-1 .800 2005 5-1 .833 Total 127-29-2 .809
BULLDOG SOCCER
Bulldog Stadium, home to Fresno State's soccer team since 1995, has taken a new look since 1991. The 27-year-old stadium underwent a two-phase expansion project that included the addition of more than 10,000 seats and the construction of 22 sky suites. Other improvements included additional restroom and concession facilities.
Originally buit in 1980, the stadium has seen its capacity expand from 30,000 to 41,031. The first phase of the expansion project entailed filling in the panels beyond the north and south end zones with additional bench seating and the reconfiguration of seating on the stadium's east side. The second phase, completed prior to the 1992 season, features the addition of 22 sky suites, each of which includes seating for 20, among other amenities.
The original construction of Bulldog Stadium began in June 1979, following the most successful capital fund-raising project ever undertaken in the San Jjoaquin Valley. Local residents raised in excess of $7 million for the project. No state tax dollars or student fees were used to build the stadium.
The 2008 women's soccer team enters its 14th season at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs have posted a 64-33-9 (.603) record at home since the team's inception in 1995, while consistently drawing crowds large enough to rank among the top ten in the nation. The Red Wave has supported the team en mass with a fan total of 120,241 fans in 105 home matches played at Bulldog Stadium.
