JSU Stadium - History

History

Jacksonville State was originally known as the Jacksonville Teachers College Eagle Owls. The football team played its games next to John Forney National Guard Armory.

The "College Bowl", as it was known originally, was dedicated at homecoming 1947. The Gamecocks, as they had come to be known, opened the new stadium with a win over Pembroke. The initial season at the College Bowl was as successful one, as the Gamecocks went 9-0.

The College Bowl officially became Paul Snow Stadium in 1961. That year, the stadium was dedicated to longime JSU supporter Paul Snow.

Burgess-Snow Stadium was renovated in 1965 when seating was expanded from 5,000 to 8,500. A new press box was installed on the north side of the facility. Under the supervision of longtime Athletic Director Jerry N. Cole, a field house was constructed in 1977. A student section was added in 1978, bringing the total capacity to 15,000. In 2010, an expansion project including additional seating to the south stands and east endzone and the seven-story Stadium Tower (floors 1-4 function as a residence hall for students, while floors 5-7 house skyboxes and the press box) was completed, increasing the seating capacity to 24,000.

In 2010, the name of Paul Snow Stadium was changed to Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium, in honor of former JSU coach Bill Burgess who coached the team to the 1992 Division II championship.