Located near downtown Atlanta,
on the east side of the Georgia Tech campus, Bobby Dodd Stadium is the oldest on
campus stadium in Division 1 football. Home of the Georgia Tech Yellow
Jackets for more than 90 years, Bobby Dodd Stadium was originally
known as Grant Field and opened in 1913. Built at a cost of $15,000,
the stadium had a capacity of 5,600 located today on what would be the
west side. The first of several additions came in 1924 and 1925 when
stands on the east and south sides were constructed increasing the
capacity to 30,000. By the 1947 season, the original west stands were
rebuilt with a press box pushing the capacity to 40,000. The north
stands were built in 1958, a second deck was constructed, in 1962 on
the east side, and by 1967 the west side was built. Grant Field now
had a capacity of 58,121.
In 1971 Georgia Tech decided to replace the
grass field with Astroturf. In the 1980s fans attending games at the
stadium saw several changes. In 1982 new scoreboards were installed
and the stands on the south side were demolished in 1985. Replacing
them is the Wardlow Center that houses the athletic department. With
the demolition of the south stands, the capacity decreased to 46,000.
In April of 1988, Georgia Tech honored former football coach, Bobby
Dodd, by renaming Grant Field, Bobby Dodd Stadium. In the 1990s, 32
new suites and a press box were built and the Astroturf was removed
and replaced with natural grass. Perhaps the biggest and most
expansive renovation to Bobby Dodd Stadium came prior to the 2003
season. Georgia Tech decided to renovate and expand the stadium to
seat 55,000 at a cost of $75 million. This included a new two tier
grandstand on the north end, seating 15,000, with luxury suites,
offices and locker rooms. The east stands were rebuilt and now include
20 new executive suites. Additional seating was added on the south end
zone in front of the Wardlow Building. Today, fans flock to Atlanta to
visit Bobby Dodd Stadium in hopes that the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
can win an ACC championship.
Yellow Jackets in the NFL:
Chris Weinke, Larry
Smith, Travis Minor Georgia Tech Traditions: Rat Caps, Ramblin'
Wreck Squad, School colors of White and Gold
Bobby
Dodd Stadium
