Cleve L Abbott Memorial Stadium Tuskegee University

Introduction

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Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium (formerly called the Alumni Bowl) is located on the campus of Tuskeegee University, one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation. The stadium was the first of its kind to be built at any Black College in the south and opened in 1925. It was named Alumni Bowl because of the significant contributions made by alumni for the construction of the facility. It is home to the University's Football Program, which participates in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Tuskegee's athletic programs, The Golden Tigers, participate in NCAA Division II. The stadium is named after former Tuskegee Tigers head football coach, Cleve L Abbott.

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Backstory and Context

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Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium opened in 1925. Before the facility was named after Cleve L Abbott, who became the head football coach in 1913, it was called the Alumni Bowl because of the monetary contributions made by former graduates of the school which was founded by Booker T. Washington. The first football game played at the stadium was between Tuskegee University and Atlanta University on October 10, 1925. The Golden Tigers defeated the Golden Hurricanes of Atlanta university, 20-0. The contest also set the stage for the formal dedication of new $50,000 stadium. The stadium is also home to the university's track and field programs.

Seventy-one would pass before University officials decided to rename the stadium Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. Abbott, the most successful coach in the 106-year history of Tuskegee football, served as the head coach from 1924-1954. Abbott led the program to 95 wins in his 32 year coaching career. Tuskegee has produced several professional football players.

Several renovations and additions have taken place at the stadium since 1989. in 1989 an athletic fieldhouse was constructed at the southend of the stadium which was donated by a construction company located in the City of Tuskegee. Other additions have been made to the stadium as well. The school's athletic program received a donation from Marable a general contractor, and key contributor to the school's athletic program, reconstructed the press box. The most recent renovation took place in 1991 with the installation of new aluminum seats, a Pepsi sponsored scoreboard and 600 stadium style crimson and gold reserved seats. The seating capacity of Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium is 10,000.

The stadium is also home to the "Shed". The Shed is a covered student section on the home team sideline where fans and the band come together to "Ball n Parlay". It is one of the best student sections in all of college football.

Sources

Cleve L Abbott Memorial Stadium, Golden Tiger Sports. May 12th 2015. Accessed April 10th 2020. https://goldentigersports.com/news/2015/5/12/GEN_0512153900.aspx.

HBCU Sports Rankings: Who has the best athletic facilities?, SitaBrutha. February 22nd 2018. Accessed April 7th 2020. https://sistabrutha.com/hbcu-sports-rankings-who-has-the-best-athletic-facilities/.

Carr, Tolly. Beware of the shed, HBCU Gameday. July 28th 2018. Accessed April 10th 2020. https://hbcugameday.com/2018/07/18/beware-of-the-shed/.