TU's stadium changes titles, but Skelly name not forgotten

Maurice Hail was still a young lad when his family used to take drives past the new Skelly Field in 1930.

"It was such a big deal, probably one of the biggest items being built in the state of Oklahoma," said Hail, 87 and a former University of Tulsa football player. "Everyone in the state knew Tulsa was going to get a big stadium."

Many different transformations, including the 1947 name change to Skelly Stadium, have occurred in the 76-year history of TU's football venue.

The latest came on Tuesday night when school president Steadman Upham announced the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Trust will provide $9 million -- and half of the estimated cost -- of a major stadium renovation that will be completed by fall 2008.

With the hefty gift came naming rights. The venue will now be known as Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

"The Chapmans have been so generous to the university," TU athletic director Bubba Cunningham said Tuesday. "This is a great gift for the university and the athletic program."

The renovations include new seating throughout the stadium, restrooms, a new press box and new scoreboard. Luxury suites will also be added to the west side.

School officials announced Wednesday that there will be a news conference unveiling additional details and renderings of Chapman Stadium at a later date.

Donne Pitman and Jerry Dickman, trustees of the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Trust, weren't available for comment.

Mike Case kickstarted the stadium renovation by providing a significant gift for the soon-to-be opened $10 million Case Athletic Complex.

He's excited about the Chapman Foundation's commitment.

"It's extremely exciting and I couldn't be happier that someone like the Chapman Trust were able to step up," Case said.

Capacity is expected to dip to around 31,000. It would be the smallest in Conference USA, but comparable to Southern Miss (33,000), SMU (32,000) and Houston (32,000).

Tulsa made sure it involved the heirs of William Skelly before shifting stadium naming rights.

Fulton Collins, chairman of TU's Board of Trustees, met with Skelly's grandson Jon Stuart and granddaughter Randi Wightman.

"They asked me what I thought about (renaming the stadium) and I agreed that it was a good plan of action," said Stuart, a member of the University of Oklahoma's Board of Regents.

Wightman appreciated TU's outreach to Skelly's family.

"The fact that they didn't jump in and change it without asking us (was respectful)," Wightman said. "We certainly weren't against the (name change).

"If the Chapman Foundation is putting up that much money, they deserve their name on the stadium."

With all the changes, one constant will stay.

The words "Skelly Field" will remain etched in the limestone at midfield on the stadium's east side.

Glenn Dobbs III spent much of his young years inside Skelly Stadium. Renaming it to Chapman Stadium brings bittersweet feelings.

"I have mixed emotions," said former letterman Dobbs, who is also the son of TU player and coach Glenn Dobbs. "I understand why they did that."

Tommy Hudspeth played at TU from 1949-52. He said keeping Skelly's name attached is beneficial.

"That still keeps the past in there and it brings forward the aggressiveness of the University of Tulsa and its followers," Hudspeth said.

QUICK FACTS

What happened:
The H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Trust has provided $9 million —half of the estimated cost —for the renovation of the University of Tulsa's football stadium.

What's next:
With the large gift comes naming rights. Skelly Stadium will become Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium in 2007.

The renovation project, which includes new seating, restrooms, a new press box and new scoreboard, is scheduled to be completed by the 2008 home opener.

SKELLY STADIUM THROUGH THE YEARS

April 1930:
William Skelly donates $125,000 and other Tulsa businessmen contribute an additional $150,000 to construct a football facility at TU.

Oct. 4, 1930:
Skelly Field opens with TU's 26-6 win over Arkansas.Capacity is 14,500 and about 13,000 fans attend.

1947:
5,000 seats are added in the north end zone, and Skelly Field is renamed Skelly Stadium.

1965:
The stadium is enlarged to a capacity of 40,235. The cost is $1.25 million.

1980:
Amodern scoreboard is installed above the south stands. Four years later, a new scoreboard is installed above the north end zone.

1993:
A new scoreboard is placed above the south stands.

2005:
North end zone stands demolished, clearing the way for the new Case Athletic Complex. Stadium seating reduced from 40,385 to 35,542.

Source: University of Tulsa

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

WHAT'S NEW

The University of Tulsa football team will play in the H.A. Chapman Stadium in the 2007 season after the Chapman foundation donated $9 million to the school's stadium renovation project.

WHEN?

The renovation is expected to be completed by fall 2008.

STATE TREND

TU becomes the state's third major college football-playing school to rename its stadium in the past five years. Oklahoma received the largest gift in its athletic department history in 2002, when Edward L. Gaylord donated $12 million to complete a $75 million expansion and restoration project.

The school renamed its football venue the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma State renamed its stadium to Boone Pickens Stadium during the 2003 season. Pickens had recently donated $165 million to the school.

COMPARING CONFERENCE USA STADIUMS

TU's capacity is expected to drop to around 31,000 seats when renovation is completed at the H.A. Chapman Stadium in 2008. The new capacity is expected to be the lowest in C-USA, but comparable to three other venues — Southern Miss, Houston and SMU.

Eric Bailey 581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com