Jones AT&T Stadium is the home of Texas Tech football. Impressive is the word most used to describe the 50,500 seat bowl-shaped stadium that features a giant Double T scoreboard-message center. A new Astroturf playing surface was installed in 1988.
Since its opening in 1947, Jones AT&T Stadium has undergone continual expansion and renovation in order to keep it among the country's most attractive stadiums. Its bowl-shaped configuratiopn and large number of viewing areas make it a popular facility with the fans.
Clifford B. and Audrey Jones AT&T Stadium was opened in 1947 with Texas Tech's 14-6 victory over Hardin-Simmons. Original seating capacity of the stadium was 27,000. The stadium was enlarged to 41,500 in 1959, and brought to its present level in 1972.
The enlargement process in 1959 still is considered one of the most unique engineering feats ever attempted. The playing field was excavated to a depth of 28 feet and the stadium was widened eastward a distance of 226 feet. This was accomplished by pulling each section of stands on steel rollers along iron rails - more than 10 million pounds of concrete and steel.
The Raiders always have ranked high in the Southwest Conference in fan support. So rabid is the football interest that the Coaches All-America Football game was played in Lubbock from 1970 - 75. With such teams as Oklahoma, Nebraska and Colorado coming into Jones AT&T Stadium in the near future, it's a good bet Red Raider tickets will continue to be hot items.
For elaborate locker room facilities, it's tough to beat Texas Tech. Red Raider coaches and players take great pride in their dressing complex. And they should since the Athletic Department spent almost $1 million recently to ensure the players' dressing area is of the ultra-class category. Large natural wood finish lockers form a border around the spacious facility. Wall-towall carpeting adds a distinctive air to the surroundings. A favorite with the players is the hot tub-cold tub-sauna complex located adjacent to the dressing area. Decorative tile with the Red Raider emblem brightens the area.
At the north end of the stadium is the Letterman's Lounge Building. A showcase of the history of Texas Tech athletes, the three-level structure contains portraits of all Red Raider head football coaches and of the school's All-Americans. Murals of past championship teams also decorate the walls. The Letterman's Association, which frequently holds meetings in the Lounge, has plaques of its members throughout the facility.
The Athletics Training Center, opened in 1986, is a unique structure found no where else in the world. The building assures Red Raider football players ideal workout conditions regardless of weather. The 3,100,000 cubic foot facility is the largest full-circle membrane structure for use by people in the world. It is 75 feet from the floor to the top of the inflatable membrane roof structure, which is held up by contant air pressure.
The ATC received national recognition in the March, 1994 issue of Athletic Management Magazine as it was named to the magazine's fourth annual award of excellence.
One of the main features of the two-level complex is a rollout artificial "Astro-Turf" surface football field that can reach a maximum length of 60 yards. The upper level features a 250-yard long circular track with six lanes and 60-meter straightaways, which is utilized for the Texas Tech Indoor Track and Field Invitational and the Texas Tech All Comers meet. A full sized wooden basketball court, four tennis or volleyball courts and a hitting tunnel for baseball batting practice or work on your golf game help give the building versatility.
The top feature of the Athletics Training Center might be the 5,500-square foot weight room, in which can be found the latest in strength and conditioning equipment. At Texas Tech, the strength and conditioning program is a year-round concept. Players are monitored in efficiency, technique and effort. Progress is charted and evaluated thoughout the player's career. Strength and conditioning coach Kelvin Clark and hsi Red Raider strength staff have developed a reputation for having one of the top programs in the country. A program built around combining bulk and speed.
The newest addition to the Jones AT&T Stadium complex is the renovation of the office area at the south end of the stadium. The football coaching staff moved into a nw two-story building on the southwest corner of the complex four summers ago and the administrative offices have all been refurnished. The lobby area, featuring a 10-1/2 foot tall bronze statue of the original Masked Rider and horse, has been enlarged and beautified to must-see status for visitors to Texas Tech University. The lobby offers a spectacular view of the facility and it is open to the public on game days.
First rate facilities - that's a pledge Texas Tech is proud to make and one that it lives up to.
Source: Texas Tech University Sports Information Office
October 3, 1999 Gray Cooksey wrote: Great site, very informative! Here's some updated information about Jones AT&T Stadium. The Board of Regents have just approved $75 million dollars in Renovations/Improvements to Jones AT&T Stadium. Capacity will be increased to 65,000, new three tiered press box, luxury suites, and Spanish Renaissance facade.
"Jones AT&T Stadium will be renovated and expanded to enhance the spectator's football game day experience. Approximately 10,000 seats will be added for a total of about 60,500 seats. A new three-level press box will be constructed to include 40 suite boxes and 500 clubs seats. Site improvements will include new trees, plantings, fan amenities, and the relocation of Red Raider Alley to the west of the press box."
The Red Raiders upset #5 ranked TX A&M by a of score 21-19. After the game the students tore down the south goalpost and paraded it around Jones AT&T Stadium. After it was carried out of
the stadium it went to 6th Street, University Ave. & finally down Broadway to Memorial Circle. It will cost Tech about $2500 to replace the goalpost. (10/3)
July 7, 2005 - Texas Tech is wrapping up approximately $84 million renovations of the football stadium. Jones SBC Stadium will make the home for Red Raider Football one of the finest in the nation. The facility contains a state-of-the-art press box, luxury suites and club seating. Concourses on both sides of the stadium plus new concession areas and rest rooms have been added. The final look on the stadium follows the Spanish Renaissance architecture seen throughout campus.
The West Side Stadium Building officially opened for the 2003 football season. The $52 million dollar, 175,000 sq. ft. facility provides a large and accommodating press level for local and national media, more than 150 tv's and video screens, 53 comfortable and private luxury suites, 1,070 club seats, and a spacious, inviting club level. With the added seating, Jones SBC Stadium's capacity is over 52,000.
There are additional plans to increase capacity by an additional 10,000 seats following the 2005 season as well as adding more Suites.
October 24, 1999 Robert Snyder wrote: Great Site Y'all,
The Board of Regents approved the stadium expansion plan, & this year new Astroturf was installed. A unique feature on the Astroturf is that the yard lines and endzones aren't painted, the turf is actually that color. Red, Black, white, grey, and the normal green are the colors on the turf. The colors other than green are used to accent the end zones, yardlines, & the new Double T Logo @ the center of the field.
You can see a pic of the 'new' 3-D double T @ my website
Thanks for the comprehensive website, you are my #1 source.
