Spartan Municipal Stadium

Spartan Municipal Stadium
Full nameSpartan Municipal Stadium
Former namesUniversal Stadium (1928–1970)
OwnerShawnee State University
Capacity8,500
Surfacegrass
Tenants
Portsmouth Spartans (NFL) (1930–1933)
Notre Dame High School football (SOC) (1928–present)

Spartan Municipal Stadium, formerly known as Universal Stadium, is a stadium in Portsmouth, Ohio. It hosted the National Football League's Portsmouth Spartans (now the Detroit Lions) from 1930 to 1933, as well as local high school teams. The stadium held 8,200 people at its peak and was built in 1928. In 1970, it was renamed Spartan Municipal Stadium. On October 5, 2003, the stadium was designated as a state historical site.[1] The stadium is owned by Shawnee State University. After a fire in the 1990s, the city replaced walls and the press box. The lighting was upgraded using funds from a USDA grant. Several years ago, the city began limiting stadium use to only regular football games to help preserve the sod. In the past, both Portsmouth and Notre Dame High School football teams have played at the facility. The city wanted to sell the stadium to the Portsmouth City School District for one dollar, but the district turned down the offer as they received $10 million from a local foundation to construct their own athletic complex next to the new city school complex.[2]

Notre Dame High School intends to remain at Spartan Stadium. The city has discussed demolishing the stadium for future development but local residents have expressed the need to preserve the historical site.[3][4]

Spartan Municipal Stadium was recently identified through Portsmouth's participation in the America's Best Communities competition as an invaluable asset for the development of Portsmouth's riverfront area.[5] In September 2017, Dr. Sean Dunne, a Sociology professor at Shawnee State University, submitted an application to State Farm's Neighborhood Assist Program for $25,000 to help renovate the stadium. In October 2017, it was announced that the application had advanced to the final round of 200 applications.[5] After ten days of online voting, the grant was selected as one of 40 projects to win $25,000.[6] The money has been used to begin the process of renovation at the stadium, with further renovation work to follow.[6]

In July 2024, Portsmouth City Council voted to transfer Spartan Municipal Stadium and the surrounding land to Shawnee State University. The university intends to renovate the stadium as a community asset.[7]

References

  1. ^ Jim Ridgeway (October 5, 2003). "Early NFL Stadium of Portsmouth Spartans Receives Ohio Historical Recognition". Portsmouth Spartans Historical Society.
  2. ^ Josh Hickle (December 13, 2006). "Stadiums May Get a Boost". Portsmouth Daily Times. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
  3. ^ Terri Fowler (July 26, 2007). "Community Concern for Spartan Stadium Aimed at Raising Money for Renovations". Scioto Voice.
  4. ^ Jeff Barron (July 26, 2007). "Society member wants stadium saved". Portsmouth Daily Times.
  5. ^ a b Conley, Ciara (October 26, 2016). "Spartan Municipal Stadium up for $25k grant — Community votes needed to secure funding". Portsmouth Daily Times.
  6. ^ a b Conley, Ciara (December 1, 2016). "Stadium renovation project wins $25k". Portsmouth Daily Times.
  7. ^ Mintz, Ariana (July 20, 2024). "Approved transfer of Spartan Stadium". WSAZ.

38°43′43″N 82°58′42″W / 38.72861°N 82.97833°W / 38.72861; -82.97833

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