University Stadium (Albuquerque)

University Stadium

Location	Avenida Cesar Chavez & University Blvd Albuquerque, NM 87131
Owner	Univ. of New Mexico
Operator	Univ. of New Mexico
Capacity	38,634
Surface	Grass
Opened	September 17, 1960
Tenants
New Mexico Lobos (1960-present) New Mexico Bowl (2006-present)

University Stadium is a stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico used primarily for American football as the home field of the University of New Mexico Lobos. It opened in 1960 and holds 38,634 people.

The stadium replaced Zimmerman Field, a 16,000-seat stadium which was located just south of the current library. Needing more room for campus facilities, the school purchased land south of campus near the corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Boulevard. This land became the "south" campus, which, in addition to more campus buildings, includes The Pit and Isotopes Park and the football stadium. When the stadium opened with a blowout of the National University of Mexico on September 17, 1960, it only consisted of the east and west stands in the natural bowl stadium. It was expanded in 2001 with stands in the northern end zone, and bleachers donated by the city of Albuquerque in 2004. Also in 2001, the L.F. "Tow" Diehm Athletic Facility, a field house and athletic training facility, is located in the southern end zone, capped by "LoboVision," the giant, state-of-the-art scoreboard. Expansion is continuing, and by the time it is completed, the stadium will seat 42,000.

The stadium is also used for the university's spring commencement ceremonies. In December of 2006, it will be the site of the first-ever New Mexico Bowl, funded by a $2 million line of credit from ESPN, and featuring members of the Mountain West Conference and Western Athletic Conference. This will be the first bowl game ever played in the state of New Mexico. Tickets for the event will be $30.