Pregame traditions are a part of every major sporting event. On Saturdays in the Fall, when the Cavaliers are at Scott Stadium, the tradition inside the stadium begins when a real life Cavalier charges onto the field on his horse, Sabre, with the football team following behind. The sight brings the crowd to its feet and gets the team ready for the game. For more than eight decades, Scott Stadium has been home to many great Virginia teams and players. The stadium was built to replace Lambeth Field and was a gift from Frederic and Elisabeth Scott in honor of Scott’s parents. The 22,000 seat stadium opened on October 18, 1931, when the Virginia Cavaliers battled the nearby VMI Cadets.
For four decades, there were few changes at Scott Stadium. However, the stadium began to show its age in the early 1970s, leading the university to renovate the facility. By the start of the 1974 season, the old wooden bleachers had been replaced with aluminum bleachers, the brickwork was restored, and the grass field was replaced with Astroturf. Before the start of the 1980 season, upper decks on both sides of the playing field were completed, increasing the seating capacity by 12,000. A new press box and President’s Box were also constructed during this renovation.
The first night game at Scott Stadium was played on October 29, 1982, using portable lights. Permanent lights were installed the following year. In 1985, Bryant Hall was constructed in the south end zone, providing new locker rooms and a dining facility. The largest and most significant renovations at Scott Stadium took place during the 1990s. In 1995, the Astroturf was removed and replaced with natural grass. In June 1997, UVA alumnus Carl Smith pledged $25 million toward further expansion of Scott Stadium. In 1998, a new videoboard, known as Hoo Vision, was installed on the north end hill and has since been updated and enlarged.
By 1999, the lower level of the south end zone had been enclosed, and by the start of the 2000 season, the upper deck was also enclosed. This renovation included new locker rooms, an expanded press box and President’s Box, 44 luxury suites, and the Pergola Plaza above the north hill. Prior to the start of the 2024 season, a new 6,700 square foot video display was installed in the north end zone, replacing the existing videoboard.
Today, Scott Stadium seats just over 61,000 fans. The main two tier grandstand surrounds most of the playing field, while the north end features a grassy hill where fans, mostly students, can watch the game.
