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Harold Alfond • Alfond Stadium Seating Chart |
The Black Bear field hockey team played the first intercollegiate contest on the new turf surface at Morse Field, downing Providence College 4-1 on September 1, 1998.
The football opening came 11 days later, on September 12, as 9,244 fans watched UMaine defeat New Hampshire 52-28 in the inaugural football game at Morse Field. The football opener featured pre-game and halftime dedication ceremonies and a fireworks display after the game.
The new stadium, one of the best facilities in the Northeast, has instilled pride and excitement throughout the University, particularly within the programs that it will support.
The stadium was the site of the 2000 commencement ceremony, UMaine’s first outdoor graduation since 1994.
The facility, constructed and designed mostly by in-state companies was paid for entirely by private donations totalling $6.1 million. The new grandstand, which increases the capacity of the stadium to 10,000, was made possible by a $3.1 million dollar donation from Harold Alfond. Morse Field is named for Phillip and Susan Morse, Class of 1964, who contributed $2.15 million for the playing surface, lights, and scoreboard. The University Development Office led a fundraising effort with key volunteer leaders to raise additional private monies for the project.
Funds were also raised through brick purchases. The bricks, with people’s names or other messages, are displayed in the southeast area of the stadium.
The new grandstand provides seating for approximately 6,000 people. While most of the seating will be bench style, there are also a number of molded chairback seats available to preferred donors and season ticket holders. The molded chairs are mostly blue with some white seats forming a large letter M. The aisles throughout the stadium are considerably wider than the previous structure, allowing for increased traffic flow. All of the seats provide a clear unobstructed view of the field.
Under the grandstand are new concrete structures that serve as men’s and women’s restrooms (more than double previous capacities), a ticket office, and concession stands. The entrance to the elevator is also located in this area, providing handicap access to the mezzanine, luxury and press box areas.
The new press and luxury box levels, standing approximately 90 feet off the ground, provide both a great view of the contests and the entire athletic complex. On a clear day, one also enjoys a picturesque view of the Stillwater River and Mt. Katahdin.
The top level of the building is devoted to media, including booths for four radio stations, a television broadcast area, and a print media room. There are operations, coaches, and statistician booths. Opposite those booths on the pressbox level are a restroom, elevator entry, media workroom, small kitchen and storage areas.
The lower level has eight luxury boxes, and a University Administration box. Each box is similar to the boxes in Alfond Arena, featuring theatre seating and cable TV access. The boxes also have sliding glass doors to allow air circulation and “pad sound.” There is also a men’s and women’s restroom at the luxury box level. All boxes provide a great view of the field.
The Astroturf surface is the best artificial field available in football and field hockey. Division I football powers Wisconsin and Nebraska recently had the same surface installed. The field provides cushion and has a drainage system for inclement weather. A special vacuum keeps the field in the best possible condition.
The new Daktronics scoreboard was donated by Phillip and Susan Morse. The scoreboard stands 32-feet, five-inches wide and 18-feet, five-inches tall. The monochrome full matrix board can provide information for football, field hockey, and track meets and can also provide simple animation.
The board also has two trivision advertising panels on the bottom. The panels rotate at time intervals.
The back of the scoreboard, the portion facing campus, features a 20-foot, four-inch by three-feet, nine-inch message center which promotes upcoming campus and athletic events.
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