UNM Football Stadium hosts the first New Mexico Bowl
on Saturday, December 23 2006.
The Mountain West Conference vs. the Western Athletic Conference
For more information, click on www.NewMexicoBowl.com

University Stadium
Home of the New Mexico Lobos, University Stadium opened its gates Sept. 17, 1960, when UNM hosted the National University of Mexico. The Lobos thumped their foreign visitors, 77-6, UNM's biggest margin of victory at University Stadium.

Prior to 1960, UNM played its home games at Zimmerman Field (1938-59) and University Field (1892-1937), where Ortega Hall, the Humanities building and Woodward Hall presently stand.

For only the second time in the history of University Stadium, the Lobos will play seven home games in 2003. University Stadium was expanded prior to the start of the 2001 season. Capacity has increased to 37,370 as 5,700 seats were added at the north end. The east and west stands were connected by a pavilion and LoboVision, a state-of-the-art videboard and scoreboard, was added.

The Lobos have won six of their past seven home games against MWC competition. New Mexico is 8-2 in its last 10 home games overall and 12-4 since the middle of the 2000 season. UNM was 5-1 at home in 2002, 3-0 in the MWC.

Lobo fans are filling University Stadium in record numbers. In fact, nine of the top-10 crowds in the history of the stadium have occurred since 1997 and season tickets have more than tripled over the past decade. Last fall, New Mexico averaged more than 30,000 fans a game for the second straight year, a first for the program. Average attendance was 30,512 in 2002 and a school-record 31,268 in 2001.

Stadium Expansion Continues
Thanks to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and members of the State Legislature, UNM received $2 million to complete the next phase in the renovation of University Stadium. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Kiki Saavedra. Construction on the northeast corner of the stadium will begin the Monday following UNMís final home game and is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2004 season. New restrooms, concessions stands, ticket booths and storage will be built.

The next phase is to renovate all facilities in the southwest and southeast corners. The final phase would be to enclose the south end by adding 5,000 more seats, increasing capacity of University Stadium to more than 42,000.

The first phase ($1.3 million) was to renovate the northwest corner of the stadium, which includes a new entry, restrooms, ticket booths, concessions stands, novelty and vendors stands and landscaping.

Further expansion at the north end of the stadium was completed prior to the 2001 season. That construction ($3.5 million) enclosed the north end by adding more than 5,700 seats, increasing seating capacity to 37,370. The east and west stands were connected by a pavilion, making the stadium more functional for fans. LoboVision, a state-of-the art scoreboard and videoboard, was also added.

"Obviously, we have had very favorable responses from the legislative leadership and the governor's office regarding financial assistance to the athletics department," said UNM athletics director Rudy Davalos. ìWe really appreciate all of them taking the time to assist us in our projects. It doesn't happen without their support."

The plans for stadium expansion and renovation have been designed by Westwork Architects of Albuquerque and Kansas City-based HOK Sport, the nation's preeminent architectural firm for sports facilities.

Directions
Located on the southeast corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Boulevard, University Stadium can be easily accessed by exiting off I-25, just south of the Big-I, at Avenida Cesar Chavez. Head east on Avenida Cesar Chavez. After crossing University Boulevard, University stadium is located on the right.