2007 PSAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships
May 3-5, 2007
Hosted by Shippensburg University
Seth Grove Stadium
Shippensburg, Pa.
Seth Grove Stadium
Seth Grove Stadium opened on September 9, 1972 with the inaugural football game between Shippensburg and Bloomsburg. The stadium is named for the late J. Seth Grove, former faculty member and coach at Shippensburg.
Grove graduated from Shippensburg in 1910 where he starred in basketball and baseball. He joined the university faculty in 1920 and coached the football team to a 6-2 record.
Grove became chairman of the mathematics department in 1921 and did not re-enter coaching until 1930 as head coach of the baseball team. He coached until 1935 and then became the athletic director, a position he held until 1946. Grove retired from teaching in 1952.
Seth Grove Stadium is part of a 50-acre athletic facility that includes Heiges Field House (basketball and volleyball), Fairchild Field (baseball), three football practice fields, David See Field (soccer), Henderson Gymnasium, Robb Sports Complex (field hockey and lacrosse), Robb Field (softball) and Eckels Field.
Eckels Field was the first university-owned athletic facility. Opened in 1903, it is now the site for many intramural events.
Himes Field, a rented area that served as the home to the Shippensburg baseball team (1874-1902) and the football team (1891-1902), is now the site of several homes on North Prince Street near the main entrance to the university.
The stadium’s capacity of 7,700 has 6,700 seats in the main grandstand and 1,000 seats on the visitors’ side of the field. Originally it had a capacity of 7,600. From 1987-89, temporary bleachers were set up beyond the north end zone for football games and commencement, boosting the capacity to 8,200.
In 1990, the 900-seat bleacher set on the visitors’ side was removed for safety reasons and the 600 temporary seats were moved from the end zone to the visitors’ side, giving the stadium a capacity of 7,300.
In 1991, the new visitors’ bleachers were built, reaching the current capacity of 7,700. If necessary, temporary bleachers can be added to the end zone. Home team locker rooms, an equipment room, sports medicine areas, rest rooms, concession stands, offices and storage space are located underneath the home grandstand.
In addition to university athletic events, the stadium is used for commencements and other related functions. It has also been the site of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) State Track and Field Championships every year since its construction in 1972.
A crowd of 12,000 spectators for the 1976 state championships, which included the crowd at the weight throwing events just north of the main grandstand, was the largest for any event held at the stadium.
An eight-lane Tufflight all-weather track was installed in 1985, replacing the original six-lane Uni-Turf track, giving Shippensburg one of the best track facilities in the East.
