Named for Don Magruder Scott, an Olympic sprinter and one of the University's first football stars, the historic facility (the nations second-oldest campus football stadium) was renovated and expanded in 1985 and 1986 and is currently undergoing the largest expansion project in its history.
The stadium has played host to average attendances within 85 percent of capacity in each of the last nine years as tickets for Bulldog home games have become increasingly scarce. Since Sherrill's arrival prior to the 1991 season, MSU has sold season tickets in school-record proportions, nearing or surpassing the 25,000-mark in each of his nine seasons. In addition, MSU averaged a school-record 39,420 fans for its five home games in 1992, representing 97% of seating capacity.
The 1985-86 construction, which brought the stadium to its present capacity of 40,656, was one of three major expansion projects that have occurred at the stadium's present site. Earlier building efforts in 1936 and 1948 brought capacity at Davis Wade Stadium to 35,000 seats and provided the basic concrete grandstand structure (35 years after the '48 expansion, the end zone seating structures were removed, lowering the capacity to 32,000 in 1983). But after 25 years, Davis Wade Stadium was ready for another facelift and an expanded seating potential for the school's growing following.
A $7.2 million drive, spearheaded by former MSU athletic director Carl Maddox and an active group of university and community leaders, financed the addition of 9,000 seats to Davis Wade Stadium's capacity without the use of appropriated state funding. A 5,500-seat upper deck, an additional 1,700 chairback seats that extend from the stadium's original structure, and another 1,000 chairback seats flanking the Bob Hartley Press Box on the second level were added to the west side. Two 1,700-seat sections were added to the east side stands to bring capacity to 40,656. The project also brought the installation of a permanent lighting system and a computerized scoreboard with message center, which was upgraded in the summer of 1997 to a multi-million dollar Sony JumboTron and scoreboard, installed in the north end zone. In addition to providing normal scoreboard functions, the big screen displays large-scale videos, including on-site replays and national interconnectivity.
The largest expansion project in MSU football history began this summer, with plans for a $21 million enlargement of Scott Fields east side. State will soon be in a remodeled facility, complete with 50 luxury skyboxes and an additional 2,000 club level seats.
In the summer of 1999, the Turman Fieldhouse on the south end of the stadium underwent many changes, including enhanced dressing rooms for both teams and a new recruiting lounge for Bulldog football prospects.
The third floor addition to the Turman Fieldhouse at the south end of the stadium the Leo Seal M-Club houses a heritage room and game-day gathering place for former Bulldog athletes, and serves as one of the campus' more popular meeting places. This $1.4 million project, completed in 1990, was made possible through the generosity of MSU alumnus and former Bulldog football letterman Leo Seal Jr., who named the building in honor of his father, also a two-year football letterwinner at State.
Scott Fields playing surface is lush Prescription Athletic Turf (PAT), complete with an underground drainage and irrigation system. The field is encircled by a holly-lined sideline fence and end zone landscaping.
Source: Mississippi State University Sports Information Office
On August 7, 1999 - This is a model of MSU's stadium expansion. It is going to increase capacity from 42,000 to 55,000. The new name will Davis Wade Stadium. The additions are the upper deck and luxury sky boxes. It will be started following the '99 season and completed in time for the 2001 season.
MISSISSIPPI STATE PLANS $20 MILLION STADIUM EXPANSION
August 12, 1999
Copyright 1999 MediaVentures
Mississippi State University is expected to announce a plan this week to add more than 10,000 seats to Davis Wade Stadium along with 50 luxury suites and new club seats. The expansion will be funded with revenue from luxury suites and club seating. Work would begin after this season and be complete in 2001.
In 1986 the stadium underwent a $7.2 million expansion that included 5,500 seats in the upper deck and 2,700 chair back seats. New seats on the ends added 1,700 seats.
