Big 12 Stadiums, Ranked - Part 3

With the first game of the college season a mere 10 days (!!!!) away, we continue counting down the stadiums of the Big 12. So far the rankings have been

#10. McLane - Baylor

#9 DKR - Texas

#8 Gaylord - Oklahoma

#7 Amon G. Carter - TCU

We continue our rankings with a couple stadiums in the Sunflower State, a stadium built as a palace to one man’s generous donations, and a stadium in the cold north of Iowa

#6. Jack Trice Stadium - Iowa State University

Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images

Real Facts

• One of the newer stadiums in the Big 12, opening in 1974
• Named after ISU athlete Jack Trice, who died in 1923 from injuries sustained in a game against the University of Minnesota
• Official capacity of 61,500 after renovations before the 2015 season increased the capacity from 54,800. Consecutive games against Iowa and Northern Iowa are the 2 highest attended games, both selling out. 6 of the top 10 attended are games against these 2 schools.

Fun Facts

• During night games, the air can be seen saturated with particles of corn
• Rumored to be the source of inspiration for Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV, just without burning couches
• ISU hosts an annual movie night, where families can sit on the field and watch a free movie

#5. Memorial Stadium - Kansas University

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Real Facts

• First stadium built on a college campus west of the Mississippi, opening in 1920. It is the 7th oldest college football stadium in the nation
• Current Capacity of 50,071, largest crowd was 52,530 in a victory over Northern Colorado in the 2009 season opener
• Also home to the Kansas relays, a track event that is widely regarded as one of the top events in the nation

Fun Facts

• Over $200,000 was raised by students and fans in 1920 to build the stadium that was the vision of legendary basketball coach Phog allen. Dr. Allen also coached the football team for 1 season
• Opposing teams often score more points against the Jayhawks football team than they do the basketball team
• KU lists the stadium as more than just a game, it’s an “experience”

#4. Boone Pickens Stadium - Oklahoma State University

Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images

Real Facts

• Oldest stadium in the Big 12, built in 1920. OSU has played at the current site since 1913, when they were known as Oklahoma A&M
• Named after legendary oil baron T. Boone Pickens, who made an initial donation of $70 million in 2003, and another $165 million in 2005, the largest single gift ever to an athletic department of a university
• Official capacity of 60,218

Fun Facts

• Orange is an ugly color
• 3 times OSU has gone a perfect 6-0 at home, with 8 other perfect seasons at home
• Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

#3. Bill Snyder Football Stadium - Kansas State University

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Real Facts

• Built in 1968 as KSU Stadium, the original capacity was 35,000. Named after legendary coach Bill Snyder in 2005 when he retired initially
• Current capacity of 50,000, with a record crowd of 53,811 in an upset win oover #4 Nebraska, 29-28 on November 11, 2000
• From 1990-2014, the Wildcats had an .807 record at home

Fun Facts

• Noted wizard and all around nice guy Bill Snyder is one of 5 coaches to coach in a stadium named after him
• It is physically impossible to get mad at Coach Snyder, who also never yells
• Snyder turned down the honor of naming the stadium after him, instead wanting it named after those he cared about most, hence the addition of “family” in the name

Next week, we take a look at the top 2 stadiums in the conference, including a special guest appearance by a legendary stadium in Big 12 country