A Closer Look At ACC Stadiums

After a recent article posted here on Canespace exposed the fallacy of the idea of UM football sharing a soccer stadium and playing in a venue that seats only 40,000 people we thought it might be a good idea to do a comparison of ACC football stadiums around the conference.

So we did some basic research to find out the seating capacities of the 14 ACC football stadiums and the year they were first built to see how Sun Life Stadium (SLS) stacks up and compares to other facilities in the ACC.

(Please Note: We did not factor in or include any recent upgrades as there are too many to mention, including some that have been made at SLS and several more that are scheduled for next year.)

To our pleasant surprise here is what we found:

BB&T Field Wake Forest / Capacity: 31,500 / Built: 1968

Wallace Wade Stadium Duke / Capacity: 33,941 / Built: 1929

Alumni Stadium Boston College / Capacity: 44,500 / Built: 1957

Carrier Dome Syracuse / Capacity: 49,250 / Built: 1980

Byrd Stadium Maryland / Capacity: 54,000 / Built: 1950

Bobby Dodd Stadium Georgia Tech / Capacity: 55,000 / Built: 1913

Carter Finley Stadium NC State / Capacity: 57,583 / Built: 1966

Scott Stadium Virginia  /Capacity: 61,500 / Built: 1931

Kenan Stadium North Carolina  /Capacity: 62,980 / Built: 1927

Heinz Field Pittsburgh / Capacity: 65,050 / Built: 2001

Lane Stadium Virginia Tech / Capacity: 66,233 / Built: 1965

Sun Life Stadium Miami / Capacity: 75,504 / Built: 1987

Memorial Stadium Clemson / Capacity: 81,500 / Built: 1942

Doak Campbell Stadium Florida State / Capacity: 82,300 / Built: 1950

Source: http://www.collegegridirons.com/comparisons.htm#sthash.0ehTKrAY.dpuf

To summarize the statistics above here are the facts and our findings:

• Only two teams play in what would be considered small college stadiums with 40,000 seats or less: Wake Forest and Duke.
• Only two teams play in what would be considered large college stadiums with 80,000 seats or more: FSU and Clemson.
• The average size of all 14 ACC stadiums is a capacity of 54,770 seats.
• Only three stadiums were built after 1980: The Carrier Dome (Syracuse/1980), Sun Life Stadium (Miami/1987) and Heinz Field (Pittsburgh/2001).

So we would suggest that you be thankful for what you have Hurricane fans.

Sun Life Stadium is the second most modern facility and has the third largest capacity of all ACC football stadiums. It is one of only two stadiums that currently is home to an NFL team and is the only stadium in the ACC where NFL Super Bowls (5) and BCS Championships (4) have been played.

Yes, be thankful 'Canes fans. Be very, very thankful indeed for Sun Life Stadium.

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With ACC move, will Cuse replace Carrier Dome?

The ACC welcome guide: What Louisville fans need to know

Hurricanes Sweep Critical Series Against Clemson

Comments

[CaneRock]

WHAT!

[nemo2002]

No mo NEMO?

[CaneRock]

Good article SOUP...didn't know that Pitt shared a stadium with an NFL team, also.

[Old Skool]

Wow somebody did their research. Thanks Soup

[canezilla]

SUNLIFE IS OK. NOTHING WILL EVER COMPARE TO THE OB . EVEN THO IT WASNT ON CAMPUS U STILL HAVE THE FEELING OF A SMALL TOWN. I REALLY REALLY TRY AND LOVE SUNLIFE BUT THE STADUIM IS TO BIG FOR US. ITS ONLY FULL WHEN WE HAVE BIG TEAMS IN TOWN. I MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE ON HERE THAT THINKS A SMALLER STADUIM IN THE CITY IS A GOOD IDEA BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.NOTHING WOULD BE SWEETER THEN CHILLING AT BAYSIDE AND DOWNTOWN BEFORE A GAME. EVERYBODY CAN GIVE THERE OPINION BUT IF U ARE NOT AT EVERY GAME AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH 20-30K IN THE STANDS AND THE EMPTY GHOST TOWN FEEL THEN U HAVE ZERO IDEA. GO CANES

[Terrance Sullivan]

LOL the OB and Sun Life has or had the same capacity roughly 75,000 funny no one said anything about the OB being to big lol. Even when their were only 20,000 in a 75,000 seat OB so Yawn on all that noise.

[SOUP]

I been busy Skool. Got some issues I am working through, will contact you soon.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Rock to answer your question from the previous blog I don't see Coach Golden leaving our Canes to go to UVA that would be a definite step down and I think Coach Golden sees himself as Coach Paterno, Bowden, Bryant, Hayes, Beamer, Stoops, Switzer, etc basically a Coach that was at a program for 15-25 years or more and win a title or titles.

[jcane]

Now this is a football stadium we should be glad we don't play at:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2069179-40-foot-sinkhole-appears-at-austin-peays-football-stadium

[Terrance Sullivan]

Soup I appreciate the kind words from the last blog. U are the man brotha.

[CaneRock]

Terrance...nobody saw Him trying to "go home" to PSU...and given their sanctions, that was more of a step down than UVA. At the end of the day, it's a business...let UVA throw $1M more than He's making at UM, and see what happens. I just hope UM has their ducks in a row in the event that happens.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Negative Rock Penn State is his alma mater and a all time great program just like Miami, UVA aint, BTW if Golden really wanted to go back to Happy Valley he would have plain and simple. U don't leave Miami for UVA, Simple as that. Golden is no fool. Trust me Penn State his alma mater offered him at least a million more than what he is making and that's Penn State remember they are down on their luck now but will be back with a vengeance. Like Miami we are getting it back like I said UVA is a never was and never is so don't sweat it and he would be a fool to leave Miami for UVA, especially when Miami are improving their facilities, a better program, better weather, better city and region, He is happy, his wife and kids are happy, Case Closed.

[SOUP]

Heat is gonna lose again? They look like KaKa.

[Montreal-Cane]

By Andrew Abramson

New from The Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Under the Dolphins’ latest plan to renovate Sun Life Stadium, owner Stephen Ross would privately fund $400 million in improvements and seek public money only after the refreshed facility lured major events, a source familiar with the discussions told the Palm Beach Post.

The upgrades would begin this summer and be completed in two phases — the first before the 2015 season and the second in time for the 2016 season.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/football/miami-dolphins-have-new-stadium-fix-up-plan-aim-to/nf4Z2/

[NativeCane]

Great article Soup, Sun Life is the next best thing to the OB and the OB is history!
I am thankful to watch my team play in such an impressive edifice!

Dem Canes!!!

[nemo2002]

You're not the only one canezilla. A downtown, bay front, stadium would be cool - and much more convenient for UM students.
If we have to play/stay at "SumLife" Stadium, I'm OK with that. But let's face facts. At some point our lease expires. And unless UM has a viable alternative option, we will have no bargaining power to negotiate favorable terms for a lease renewal. So, bottom line, approval of a joint-use stadium downtown would benefit UM, even if we don't ever play there.

[Ohio_Cane]

Heat is gonna lose again? They look like KaKa.

Posted by: SOUP | May 20, 2014 at 08:50 PM
----------------------------------------------

If ANYONE knows not to pay attention to the first quarter, id think that'd be U. Lol

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Still too many timeouts in basketball.

[Da U N Houston]

Please NO MO CHALMERS!!!!!!!!

[canezilla]

LIKE I WAS SAYING IF U ONLY SHOW UP TO BIG GAMES AND NOT AT EVERY HOME GAME U WOULDNT UNDERSTAND. AND ALL THIS TALK ABOUT UPGRADES??? 99% OF US DONT SIT IN A BOX AND GET TO ENJOY THE LUXURY OF AC AND BEING PAMPERED SO CUT THAT SHYT OUT

[SOUP]

99% OF US DONT SIT IN A BOX AND GET TO ENJOY THE LUXURY OF AC AND BEING PAMPERED SO CUT THAT SHYT OUT

Posted by: canezilla | May 20, 2014 at 10:27 PM

That's what SHE said.

But at least we gots shoes?

[canezilla]

LOL, TS THE OB WAS CLOSER TO THE FIELD AND ALOT TIGHTER , MAYBE WHEN THEY RENOVATE AND MOVE THE SEATS CLOSER I MIGHT GET ALL WARM AND FUZZY INSIDE

[Terrance Sullivan]

Zilla I feel ya bro. I feel ya.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

I fully anticipate the renovations and if we start winning will end all talk of a new stadium. I'm fine sharing with the Dolphins but more needs to be done to make it feel like The U's home stadium though, for example the endzone art, which I've thought has been weak. It looks like we borrow the stadium. It doesn't look like home. Can we do something better than an inflatable helmet and fire extinguishers. I know there is some history/tradition there, but I've seen HS teams with a more upgraded production.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Wouldn't it be cool if they put the palm trees inside the stadium?

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

If the smoke was automatic and the helmet was permanent it would look so much better. Sound the Hurricane warning alarm, raise the flags, get on the PA and warn the crowd of an impending Hurricane. Then bam! Smoke and team!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

You know how when Clemson comes out, the announcers shut their mouths and watch? That's what we need.

[HawaiiCane]

They need to get rid of the helmet and find an end zone corner entrance to start the smoke, but I do like the Hurricane warning idea leading to the smoke!

[Montreal-Cane]

The Heat played defense tonight. Nice win!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Good defense tonight. Good win. Still too many timeouts.

[SOUP]

MIGHT GET ALL WARM AND FUZZY INSIDE

Posted by: canezilla | May 20, 2014 at 10:38 PM

We still talkin bout shoes? LOL

[SOUP]

HEAT BABY!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

If The U wanted leverage for later on with Sunlife, they could always renew early, or pony up cash for upgrades.

[CaneRock]

Dude, the only UM Ross cares about, is U of Michigan...beyond that lease money, Ross don't give a damn about UM. Do ya'll really think that Ross is paying for that $400M with UM in mind...get real.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

When the Heat give effort, their tough to beat. The defense is really good and they have 3 scorers. No one else can say that. Well, Spurs can, but their not as athletic.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

CR,

Then The U should help.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

That's is, if The U cares.

[CaneRock]

Dude, UM should help it's self by either building an on campus stadium, or building a stadium that's close proximity to campus. And like Zilla said..."NOTHING WOULD BE SWEETER THEN CHILLING AT BAYSIDE AND DOWNTOWN BEFORE A GAME."

Where SLS is now, besides tailgating, what else is there to do in that area before a game...Calder Race Track?

[CaneRock]

And I don't wanna hear that crap that UM can't afford to build their own stadium, hell, they just purchased Cedar Medical Center for $275M! several years ago. Like hell they can't afford it...

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Rock,

As an Idahoan at this point in my life, going to games is pretty much out of the question for me for many more years. I really don't know the area around Sunlife well, of course The U campus is really nice and having an on campus stadium is the ultimate goal. I also have no idea what The U has in its bank account to make it a reality. All I'm saying is, from home, on tv, Miami looks cheap compared to other schools. The production looks cheap. All I'm doing is listing some things even The U could do for cheap to make the tv production better. I think The U could ask for certain accomodations that could upgrade the show and they could even offer some of their own money to make it happen. I'm sick of SL on tv because it looks like we're renting.

[CaneRock]

I think The U could ask for certain accomodations that could upgrade the show and they could even offer some of their own money to make it happen.

Posted by: The Dude | May 21, 2014 at 12:05 AM

Dude...and that's the problem when you lease, you have to ask...you have no type of equity...you're just making your landlord richer. Me personally, what I wanna see, is for UM to build a modernized version of the OB, by the old OB site.

[Standard Shriver]

The destruction of the OB is was serious blow to Miami football. A stadium at Tropical park still remains the best practical solution. 45k to 50k max is all we need. Sun Life stinks, period. I would prefer the Miami skyline and the ocean featured in any new stadium backdrop in an open ended facility as it is great for recruiting and atmosphere.

However, articles like this one continue to bemuse me. SLS is in the same catagory as old three Rivers stadium....lifeless concrete shells that went out of fashion and down to the wrecking ball back in the 80s and 90s.

couldnt disagree more with this article.

[WWIN]

I just hope UM has their ducks in a row in the event that happens.

Posted by: CaneRock | May 20, 2014 at 08:38 PM

By ducks in a row, do you mean having Butch on speed dial?

[WWIN]

Tsully, you my boy and everything but do you really think psu offered golden that job????

If so, why was he silent about it for 3 days during a crucial stage in recruiting??

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: Willie Will in Missouri | May 21, 2014 at 02:07 AM

I was going to say the same thing.

[Terrance Sullivan]

That's his alma mater and he doesn't want them too look bad, Fellas come on now U guys know the drill, It was a save face mechanism for the school and himself, Think about it he would of went to Happy Valley and interviewed for the job or hell he would of just taken it and did the Charlie Strong, Butch Davis, Bobby Petrino route, Everyone has their opinion but trust me They didnt travel from State College PA, to Coral Gables, FL. just for kicks and giggles lol.

[UMike]

I'm assuming here but if the defensive scheme is more aggressive this year I think the staff turn the DT loose

Posted by: SinisterCane | May 20, 2014 at 05:52 PM

I think you're also assuming we have a DT whos capable lol

[UMike]

The latest Rivals250 was released.. here are the Florida players...

#1- Byron Cowart - 5 Star
#8 - Kevin Toliver II - 5 Star LSU Commit
#10 - CeCe Jefferson - 5 Star
#16 - Derwin James - 5 Star FSU Commit
#17 - Calvin Ridley - 5 Star Bama Commit
#18 - Jacques Patrick - 5 Star
#21 - Tarvarus McFadden - 5 Star
#26 - Ray-Ray McCloud III - 4 Star
#29 - Martez Ivey - 4 Star
#38 - Da'Vante Phillips - 4 Star
#42 - George Campbell - 4 Star
#44 - Tyrek Cole - 4 Star FSU Commit
#51 - Torrance Gibson - 4 Star
#61 - John Burt - 4 Star
#64 - Jeffery Holland - 4 Star
#72 - Sherrod Pittman - 4 Star USc Commit
#81 - Shawn Burgess-Becker - 4 Star Bama Commit
#87 - Jake Fruhmorgen - 4 Star Clemson
#91 - Tim Irvin - 4 Star
#137 - Jordan Scarlett - 4 Star FAU
#144 - Garrett Williams - 4 Star Clemson
#151 - Deon Cain - 4 Star
#153 - Jovon Durante - 4 Star WVU
#154 - Devonaire Clarington - 4 Star
#162 - Tyree St. Louis - 4 Star
#170 - Deondre Francois - 4 Star
#176 - Jordan Cronkrite - 4 Star Miami
#179 - De'Andre Johnson - 4 Star FSU
#183 - Ben Edwards - 4 Star Auburn
#185 - Ronnie Harrison - 4 Star UNC
#187 - Kendrick Norton - 4 Star FSU
#196 - Auden Tate - 4 Star
#211 - Ryan Davis - 4 Star
#213 - Devante Peete - 4 Star
#220 - T.J. Simmons - 4 Star
#247 - Luke Hiers - 4 Star

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-3404

[UMike]

2016 Miami target Malek Young said this...

"I know that they have a good defensive coordinator and that he coaches his guys up,” “Miami is always sending guys to the NFL, so that gets your attention. Miami is just a great program.”

Should someone tell him?

[SOUP]

couldnt disagree more with this article.

Posted by: Standard Shriver | May 21, 2014 at 01:09 AM

U can disagree but the facts are the FACTS. The point is it could be a LOT worse, so be thankful for what U have.