College Gridirons-Rice Eccles Stadium-Utah Utes

Picture: UTAH Rice Eccles Stadium
Salt Lake City, UT

Home to the now nationally famous Utah Utes, Rice Eccles Stadium is the newest stadium in the Mountain West Conference. Prior to the construction in 1998, the old Rice Stadium was located on the same site as the new stadium today. With the announcement that Salt Lake City would be awarded the 2002 Winter Olympics, a new stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies needed to be built. The city along with the University of Utah decided that a new stadium would be built for the team and for the Olympics. The old stadium was demolished after the 1997 season and a new stadium rose in its place and was completed by 1998.

The Utah Utes made their debut at the stadium on September 12, 1998 against Louisville. The stadium was named after Robert L. Rice who donated $1 million for the old Ute Stadium in 1972. The stadium got its current name, Rice Eccles Stadium after George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles donated $10 million for the new stadium. The new stadium has a capacity of just over 45,000. Grandstands surround the Fieldturf playing field. A three tier press box with 450 club seats and 25 suites is located on one side of the gridiron. A new $1.6 million video/scoreboard was added before the 2003 season, making Rice Eccles Stadium one of the best in the conference. In 2004, the Utes became famous as they went undefeated and went on to win the 2004 Fiesta Bowl.

Facts & Figures

-Tenant: Utah Utes
-Conference: Mtn. West
-Capacity: 45,017
-Surface: Fieldturf
-Opened: September 12, 1998
-Cost: $27 Million
-Seating Chart
-Utah Utes Sports
-PrimeSeatTickets:
College Bowl Tickets
BCS Championship Tickets
Sugar Bowl Tickets

UTE TIDBITS

RICE ECCLES STADIUM PICTURES

Famous Players: Andrew Dyson, Lewis Powell, Barry Sims
School Traditions: Block U and Beehive Boot

Click to Enlarge Pictures - Submit Pictures!

fdsa

Copyright � 2004 - College Gridirons is not associated with any team, college, stadium or conference in any way. Report problems on this page to: problems@collegegridirons.com This page may not be reproduced in any way without permission from College Gridirons.
Stadium Network: ballparksofbaseball.com | stadiumsofnfl.com | collegegridirons.com | insidearenas.com | stadiumtravelguide.com