The Carrier Dome, home of the Syracuse
Orangemen, is one the most unique stadiums in college football and the
largest domed stadium on a college campus. Built
for several university sporting programs, the Carrier Dome has hosted
many events over its more than 20 years of existence. By the middle
1970s, Syracuse University decided it was time to build an indoor
facility to house the football program. A new dome stadium could host
football, basketball, track and many other sports. By 1979 plans were
approved and by April construction began on the massive dome stadium.
At a cost of $26.85 million, the Carrier Dome was completed by
September 1980. The stadium got its name after the Carrier Corporation
paid $2.75 million for the naming rights.
The Orangemen played the first football at the
Carrier Dome on September 20, 1980. With a capacity of 49,250, the
Carrier Dome is the largest structure of any kind on any college
campus in the country. A three tier grandstand encloses the entire
Fieldturf playing surface. The dome weighs 220 tons and is made of
Teflon coated fiberglass. When snow approaches the Carrier Dome it is
heated to 145 degrees to prevent it from collapsing. In March 1993,
the dome was deflated because nearly four feet of snow fell in the
Syracuse area. In addition to being home of the football team, the Carrier Dome has been the home of the
Syracuse basketball team. In order for basketball to be played at the
Carrier Dome, the basketball court floor is assembled on the west side
of the facility. Today, after more than 25 years of existence, the Carrier Dome
continues to be one of the top venues in college football.
FACTS & FIGURES
-Tenant: Syracuse Orangemen -Conference: Big East -Capacity: 49,250 -Surface:
Fieldturf -Opened:
September 20, 1980 -Cost:
$26.85 Million
-Seating Chart
-Syracuse Orangemen Website
CARDINALS TIDBITS
2008 SCHEDULE
CAMPUS WEATHER
Players in the NFL: Donovan McNabb, Marvin
Harrison, Roland Williams
School Traditions: The Legend of #44
-8/30 - at Northwestern
-9/6 - AKRON
-9/13 - Penn State
-9/20 - Northeastern
-9/27 - PITTSBURGH
-10/11 - at West Virginia
-10/18 - at USF
-11/1 - LOUISVILLE
-11/8 - at Rutgers
-11/15 - CONNECTICUT
-11/22 - at Notre Dame
-11/29 - at Cincinnati
"Unique
in that it is a dome smack dab in the middle of a city campus. It
is a loud and exciting building. There is a wall dedicated to
Syracuse football history. Many unique items and articles.
Prior to the game hang out on Marshall Street. Lots of shops and
food and bars. Manny's is best for Syracuse souvenirs. Campus is
on a hill that overlooks the city so be prepared to do alot of
climbing."
-
J.W.Sprague
Carrier
Dome
