50 year football home, razed fall semester
Patterson's herd of cows.
The seating structure, McLean Stadium, was named for a UK player, Price Innes McLean, who died of injuries suffered in a game against the University of Cincinnati in 1923.
Originally, plans called for a U-shaped stadium with bowed sides. But only 10 of the 16 proposed sections were ever built. The original six sections were constructed in 1924 at a cost of $117,000. The following four sections were added during World War II.
The first sections seated only 10,000. With additional sections plus the end zone seating capacity was raised to approximately 20,000; a figure that was dwarfed by the 56,000 seat capacity of the new Commonwealth Stadium.
In 48 football seasons, McLean played host to nine head coaches, 145 victories, 98 losses, and eight ties. The last victory took place November, 1972, when UK beat Vanderbilt 14-13. rr
BELOW: While Stoll Field is being destroyed, the band uses the field for practice. BOTTOM RIGHT: Ivy finally grew to the top of the stands as destruction tore away the tradition. BOTTOM LEFT: Workers remove iron beams before crushing concrete. OPP. PG., FAR LEFT: Patterson Office Tower overlooks the ruins of the old field. TOP RIGHT: The destruction of the seats where fans once cheered make way for the use of the new Commonwealth Stadium. CENTER: A torn remnent amidst the rubble of the stadium is a final reminder of the last game. BOTTOM RIGHT: Stoll Field . . . the end of 48 football seasons.
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