Camp Randall Stadium had a milestone birthday this week
The UW Athletic Department reports that Camp Randall Stadium celebrated its 100th birthday on Tuesday May 16th. No word if there was cake. I hope there was cake.
The Badgers first game in Camp Randall was on November 3, 1917, when Wisconsin paved Minnesota 34-0. Wisconsin (4-2-1) finished 4th in the Western Conference that season. That shutout against the Gophers was Minnesota’s only loss on the season. Paul Bunyan was using his axe back then so it was not available for the victors.
In 1917, Wisconsin’s defense only allowed 4.3 Points/game (17/88 teams nationally) and and offense that scored 12.1 Points/game (60/88 teams nationally). Not having to defend the forward pass probably helps in making defensive play calls. Wisconsin coach J.R. Richards compiled a 42-29-9 record during his six seasons in Madison.
It's Camp Randall Stadium's 💯th Birthday 🎂🎉
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) May 16, 2017
My "Best Day Ever at Camp Randall" was..? Tell us with #CampRandall100https://t.co/cpY2NtfSOL
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As you likely know, and the name indicates, Camp Randall was not always for football. It played a pivotal role in Wisconsin’s contribution to the Union cause during the Civil War. Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall established the training ground for soldiers in Madison. It was given the name “Camp Randall” by the “corporal commander of the 2nd Wisconsin regiment.”
"[t]he site was owned by the Wisconsin Agricultural Society, which held its annual state fair on the grounds. When hostilities broke out in 1861, the society gave the land to the government for a major military training center. More than 70,000 troops attended training drills at the Camp Randall complex."
Camp Randall housed Confederate POWs for a brief period in 1862. After the Civil War ended, the land was used as fairgrounds and later World War I soldiers drilled on the spot. The state later purchased the land and gave it to UW for an athletic space.
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Camp Randall Stadium was built with money from UW and a $15,000 (roughly $290,000 in 2017 dollars) contribution from the Wisconsin legislature. The stadium initially held 10,000 people before rising to just under 53,000 by 1955. Capacity grew again in the 1960s before a major renovation in 2005 pushed capacity to where it is today at 80,321.
Camp Randall s the 4th oldest stadium in college football behind facilities at Georgie Tech, Mississippi State, and Cincinnati.