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Coordinates: 40°42′3″N 75°12′38″W / 40.70083°N 75.21056°W / 40.70083; -75.21056
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{{Short description|College football field of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania}}
[[Image:Fisher-Field-construction8-19-06.JPG|thumb|right|During the renovation]]
{{Infobox venue
⚫
'''Fisher Field at Fisher Stadium''' is a 13,750-seat multi-purpose [[stadium]] in [[Easton, Pennsylvania]]. It opened in [[1926]]. It is home to the [[Lafayette College]] Leopards [[football]] [[team]].
| stadium_name = Fisher Stadium
| nickname = Fisher
| image = Fisher Stadium.jpg
| image_size = 280px
| caption = Fisher Stadium, September 2006
| location = 218 Hamilton Street<br>[[Easton, Pennsylvania]] 18042
| coordinates = {{coord|40|42|3|N|75|12|38|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = Summer 1925
| built =
| opened = September 25, 1926
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = [[Lafayette College]]
| operator = [[Lafayette College]]
| surface = [[FieldTurf]] (2006–present)<br>Natural grass (1926–2005)
| construction_cost = [[United States dollar|$]]445,000<br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|445000|1926}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect = Edwards-Dunn Co.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stadium Work Progresses|newspaper=The Lafayette|date=September 23, 1925}}</ref>
| former_names = Fisher Field<br>Lafayette Stadium
| tenants = [[Lafayette Leopards football|Lafayette Leopards]] ([[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]) (1926–present)
| seating_capacity = 13,132
| record_attendance = 21,000 vs. Lehigh, 1948
|}}


⚫
'''Fisher Stadium''' is a 13,132-seat [[multi-purpose stadium]] in [[Easton, Pennsylvania]]. The stadium is home to the [[Lafayette College]] [[Lafayette Leopards football|Leopards football team]]. It opened in 1926 as '''Fisher Field'''.
⚫
It is currently undergoing a well-deserved 23 million dollar renovation. It was reopened in time for the 2006 [[college football]] season complete with new seating, scoreboard/video screen, a new press box, artificial turf, and field lighting. Construction of a [[field house]] beyond the western [[endzone]] will commence in late 2006 and will be completed before the 2007 season. The new renovations should give Lafayette one of the best venues in all of I-AA football.


⚫
During 2006 and 2007, Fisher Field underwent a $33-million renovation. It reopened in time for the 2006 [[college football]] season complete with new seating, a [[JumboTron]], a new press box, [[FieldTurf]], and field lighting. Construction of a Football Varsity House beyond the western [[End zone|endzone]] commenced in Fall 2006 and was completed before the 2007 season.
Fisher Field will host the 142nd playing of the [[Lehigh-Lafayette rivalry]] football game on November 18th, 2006. And, as always, Fisher Field at Fisher Stadium will be the neutral site for the traditional high school football rivalry between [[Easton High School]] and [[Phillipsburg High School]], which will be shown on [[ESPN2]] on [[Thanksgiving]] Day 2006, the 100th meeting of the two cross-state teams. The following is courtesy of goleopards.com: Erected in 1926, Fisher Field was named for Thomas Fisher, Lafayette College Class of 1888, who almost single-handedly raised the $445,000 needed for construction through fund raising efforts and a sizeable personal contribution.


==History==
⚫
The first football game played in the 18,000-seat structure came on September 25, 1926, with a 35-0 Leopard victory over Muhlenberg College.
[[File:Lafayette2006PLchampsboard.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|Fisher Stadium's scoreboard following [[Lafayette Leopards football|Lafayette College]]'s victory over [[Lehigh Mountain Hawks football|Lehigh University]] in the 142nd edition of "[[The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)|The Rivalry]]" in 2006. The series between the two colleges, which are {{convert|17|mi}} away from each other in the [[Lehigh Valley]], is the [[List of NCAA college football rivalry games|most-played rivalry]] in [[college football]] history with 158 meetings since 1884.]]
Erected in 1926, Fisher Field was named for Thomas Fisher, [[Lafayette College]] Class of 1888, who almost single-handedly raised the $445,000 needed for construction through fund-raising efforts and a sizable personal contribution.


⚫
The first football game played in the 18,000-seat structure came on September 25, 1926, with a 35-0 Leopard victory over [[Muhlenberg College]].
Now entering its 72nd season, Fisher Field has been host to 343 Lafayette football games with the Leopards enjoying an overall record of 208 wins, 122 losses and 13 ties for a winning percentage of 62.5%. Of the previous 71 seasons, Lafayette has produced 12 undefeated home seasons with the most recent being the 1992 Patriot League champion Leopards that went a perfect 5-0 -- the first undefeated home season for Lafayette at Fisher Field since 1970. During the 1992 and 1993 seasons, Lafayette won 10 straight home games, tying the Fisher Field school record for consecutive wins first set by the 1926 and 1927 squads in the first 10 games ever played in the stadium.


In 1973, during the construction of Allan P. Kirby Field House, more than 4,500 seats were removed from the north stands to make room for the structure. Presently, Fisher Field has a permanent seating capacity of 13,750 (12,000 in the south stands and 1,750 in the north). Many times, when Lafayette College is host for the Lafayette-Lehigh rivalry every other year, more than 3,500 temporary seats are erected to accommodate the sellout crowd of 17,000.
In 1973, during the construction of Allan P. Kirby Field House, more than 4,500 seats were removed from the north stands to make room for the structure.


A $33 million renovation in 2006 and 2007 brought new spectator seating throughout the venue, including chair back seating in select areas, and additional visitor-side seating. A state-of-the-art FieldTurf surface, lights, and a press box were installed, and improved restroom and vending areas were also included. A 19-by-35 foot video matrix board, located in the northwest corner of the stadium, provides the Lafayette Sports Network telecast of the game and features "in-house" entertainment for Leopard fans.


The facility seats 13,132, with additional seating for 2,075 added for the Nov. 18 meeting with [[Lehigh Mountain Hawks football|Lehigh University]], which raised the capacity to 15,207.


The Leopards posted their inaugural victory at Fisher Field on November 11, 2006, when Lafayette defeated [[Georgetown Hoyas football|Georgetown]], 45-14. Lafayette wide receiver Joe Ort set the single-game school record with 274 yards receiving in that contest.


On September 1, 2007, Lafayette opened its season hosting the first ever night football game at Fisher Stadium. Lafayette defeated [[Marist College]] of the [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]] 49-10.<ref>Lafayette Leopards 2007 Gameday Central http://goleopards.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/lafa-fb-07-gameday.html</ref>
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{{Patriot League Football Venues}}


Jim Finnen was the public-address announcer at Fisher Field for 50 years. He retired in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/09/jim_finnen_reflects_a_half_cen.html|title=Jim Finnen reflects on a half-century behind the microphone at Lafayette College|date=16 September 2014 }}</ref>
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[[Category:College football venues]]

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[[Category:Lehigh Valley]]
==The Rivalry==
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[[Category:Northampton County, Pennsylania]]
{{main article|The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)}}
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[[Category:Sports venues in Pennsylvania]]
When Lafayette College is host for [[The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)|The Rivalry]] with [[Lehigh University]] every other year, more than 3,500 temporary seats are erected to accommodate the sellout crowd of 17,000. These temporary seats are left standing during the week for use at the Phillipsburg-Easton game. Thus the total number of seats for the high school football game vary from year to year.

To commemorate the 150th edition of The Rivalry, the 2014 contest, a Lafayette home game, was held at [[Yankee Stadium]].

==Hosting the Easton-Phillipsburg game==
Fisher Field at Fisher Stadium acts as neutral site for the traditional high school football rivalry between [[Easton Area High School]] in Easton and [[Phillipsburg High School (New Jersey)|Phillipsburg High School]] of [[Phillipsburg, New Jersey]]. In 2006, the game between the two teams was televised nationally on [[ESPN2]] as part of the ''[[High School Showcase]]''. Easton won that game 21-7, the 100th meeting of these two cross-state rivals.
==Panorama==
{{Panorama
|image = File:Fisher_Stadium_at_Lafayette_College.jpg
|height = 230
|caption = Fisher Stadium, November 2019}}

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I FCS football stadiums]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Lafayette Leopards football navbox}}
{{Lafayette Leopards baseball navbox}}
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{{Patriot League football venue navbox}}
{{Pennsylvania college football venues}}

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[[Category:College football venues in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Lafayette Leopards football]]
[[Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States]]
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Northampton County, Pennsylvania]]
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[[Category:Easton, Pennsylvania]]
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[[Category:1926 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1926]]

Latest revision as of 17:56, 26 November 2024

Fisher Stadium
Fisher
Fisher Stadium, September 2006
Map
Former namesFisher Field
Lafayette Stadium
Location218 Hamilton Street
Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
Coordinates40°42′3″N 75°12′38″W / 40.70083°N 75.21056°W / 40.70083; -75.21056
OwnerLafayette College
OperatorLafayette College
Capacity13,132
Record attendance21,000 vs. Lehigh, 1948
SurfaceFieldTurf (2006–present)
Natural grass (1926–2005)
Construction
Broke groundSummer 1925
OpenedSeptember 25, 1926
Construction cost$445,000
($7.66 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectEdwards-Dunn Co.[2]
Tenants
Lafayette Leopards (NCAA) (1926–present)

Fisher Stadium is a 13,132-seat multi-purpose stadium in Easton, Pennsylvania. The stadium is home to the Lafayette College Leopards football team. It opened in 1926 as Fisher Field.

During 2006 and 2007, Fisher Field underwent a $33-million renovation. It reopened in time for the 2006 college football season complete with new seating, a JumboTron, a new press box, FieldTurf, and field lighting. Construction of a Football Varsity House beyond the western endzone commenced in Fall 2006 and was completed before the 2007 season.

History

[edit]
Fisher Stadium's scoreboard following Lafayette College's victory over Lehigh University in the 142nd edition of "The Rivalry" in 2006. The series between the two colleges, which are 17 miles (27 km) away from each other in the Lehigh Valley, is the most-played rivalry in college football history with 158 meetings since 1884.

Erected in 1926, Fisher Field was named for Thomas Fisher, Lafayette College Class of 1888, who almost single-handedly raised the $445,000 needed for construction through fund-raising efforts and a sizable personal contribution.

The first football game played in the 18,000-seat structure came on September 25, 1926, with a 35-0 Leopard victory over Muhlenberg College.

In 1973, during the construction of Allan P. Kirby Field House, more than 4,500 seats were removed from the north stands to make room for the structure.

A $33 million renovation in 2006 and 2007 brought new spectator seating throughout the venue, including chair back seating in select areas, and additional visitor-side seating. A state-of-the-art FieldTurf surface, lights, and a press box were installed, and improved restroom and vending areas were also included. A 19-by-35 foot video matrix board, located in the northwest corner of the stadium, provides the Lafayette Sports Network telecast of the game and features "in-house" entertainment for Leopard fans.

The facility seats 13,132, with additional seating for 2,075 added for the Nov. 18 meeting with Lehigh University, which raised the capacity to 15,207.

The Leopards posted their inaugural victory at Fisher Field on November 11, 2006, when Lafayette defeated Georgetown, 45-14. Lafayette wide receiver Joe Ort set the single-game school record with 274 yards receiving in that contest.

On September 1, 2007, Lafayette opened its season hosting the first ever night football game at Fisher Stadium. Lafayette defeated Marist College of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference 49-10.[3]

Jim Finnen was the public-address announcer at Fisher Field for 50 years. He retired in 2014.[4]

The Rivalry

[edit]
Main article: The Rivalry (Lafayette–Lehigh)

When Lafayette College is host for The Rivalry with Lehigh University every other year, more than 3,500 temporary seats are erected to accommodate the sellout crowd of 17,000. These temporary seats are left standing during the week for use at the Phillipsburg-Easton game. Thus the total number of seats for the high school football game vary from year to year.

To commemorate the 150th edition of The Rivalry, the 2014 contest, a Lafayette home game, was held at Yankee Stadium.

Hosting the Easton-Phillipsburg game

[edit]

Fisher Field at Fisher Stadium acts as neutral site for the traditional high school football rivalry between Easton Area High School in Easton and Phillipsburg High School of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. In 2006, the game between the two teams was televised nationally on ESPN2 as part of the High School Showcase. Easton won that game 21-7, the 100th meeting of these two cross-state rivals.

Panorama

[edit]
Fisher Stadium, November 2019

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "Stadium Work Progresses". The Lafayette. September 23, 1925.
  3. ^ Lafayette Leopards 2007 Gameday Central http://goleopards.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/lafa-fb-07-gameday.html
  4. ^ "Jim Finnen reflects on a half-century behind the microphone at Lafayette College". 16 September 2014.
[edit]

Media related to Fisher Stadium at Wikimedia Commons

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