Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium

Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium is a stadium in San Antonio, Texas. It is the home field for the men's and women's soccer, track and field, and American football teams of the University of the Incarnate Word. The stadium currently seats 6,000 people. It is named after Tom Benson and his wife Gayle. Record stadium attendance of 6,498 was recorded in a game vs Houston Baptist on November 17, 2016.[3]

Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
Location4301 Broadway Street
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Coordinates29°28′02.9″N 98°28′12″W
OwnerUniversity of the Incarnate Word
OperatorUniversity of the Incarnate Word
Capacity3,000 (2008–2009)
6,000 (2010–present)
Record attendance6,498
November 17, 2016
vs. Houston Baptist
SurfaceFieldTurf Classic HD
Construction
Broke groundJanuary 17, 2008[1]
OpenedSeptember 1, 2008
Expanded2010 (Added 3,000 seats to present 6,000 capacity)[2]
Tenants
University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals (NCAA)

History

Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium officially opened on campus on September 1, 2008. A special grand opening ceremony was held when the Bensons, along with more than 2,000 Cardinals fans and athletes declared the facility ready for action. Benson and his family long have been ardent supporters of Incarnate Word and provided the necessary funds to start up the University's football program. A San Antonian himself, Benson was the owner of professional football's New Orleans Saints until his passing in 2018.

Renovations

Benson Stadium now has permanent seating for 6,000 spectators after the 2010 addition of the north bleachers. Atop the original south seating areas are six suites while the north side stands have two press boxes for media and game operations, including a permanent home for KUIW Internet Radio and UIWTV. In May 2018, the original Hellas Matrix artificial playing surface was replaced with FieldTurf's Classic HD surface.[4]

Features

An eight-lane, Sport Track 300 surface track surrounds the field and is an all-weather surface in nature. Accompanying the track are also three jumping pits. Located behind the west endzone is the stadium's Daktronics scoreboard which has a 20 feet (6.1 m) by 10 feet (3.0 m) video screen where Cardinals fans get the latest information about their team as well as a viewing of the game itself.

Adjoining the football field is the Benson Fieldhouse. A 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) facility housing a weight room, athletic training facility, locker rooms, team meeting areas and coaches offices.


Attendance records
Rank Attendance Date Game Result
16,498November 17, 2016Incarnate Word 28, Houston Baptist 26
26,325August 29, 2009Incarnate Word 42, Monterrey Tech 39
35,746November 5, 2016Incarnate Word 10, Southeastern Louisiana 30
45,667October 15, 2011Incarnate Word 38, Texas A&M–Kingsville 41
55,643November 3, 2018Incarnate Word 43, 21 Sam Houston State 26
65,412September 25, 2010Incarnate Word 9, 5 Texas A&M–Kingsville 37
75,323September 30, 2017Incarnate Word 20, Abilene Christian 45
85,322October 8, 2016Incarnate Word 48, 2 Sam Houston State 63
95,229September 5, 2015Incarnate Word 18, Texas A&M–Kingsville 16
105,001October 14, 2017Incarnate Word 33, Lamar 24
114,999October 28, 2017Incarnate Word 31, Nicholls State 38
124,798September 24, 2016Incarnate Word 35, 24 McNeese State 42
134,755September 22, 2012Incarnate Word 0, 25 West Texas A&M 24
144,652November 11, 2017Incarnate Word 10, 3 Central Arkansas 56
154,558October 25, 2014Incarnate Word 21, 11 McNeese State 41
164,522September 1, 2012Incarnate Word 19, Texas College 12
174,430November 16, 2017Incarnate Word 28, Prairie View A&M 42
184,402November 14, 2015Incarnate Word 21, Lamar 28
194,400September 3, 2016Incarnate Word 22, Texas A&M–Kingsville 31
204,122November 16, 2013Incarnate Word 0, Angelo State 7

See also

References
  1. "2009 Football Media Guide" (PDF).
  2. "Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium".
  3. "Football vs Houston Baptist on 11/17/2016 - Box Score".
  4. "Methodist Healthcare System and Metropolitan Methodist Hospital Commit to Second-Largest Gift in UIW Athletics History".


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