Mountain America Stadium: A Legacy of Sun Devil Football and More
Mountain America Stadium, formerly known as Sun Devil Stadium, stands as an iconic venue with a rich history that spans several decades. Located on the campus of Arizona State University (ASU), this stadium has been the home of the Sun Devils football team since 1958. Over the years, it has evolved from a modest facility into a versatile space hosting not only college football but also a wide array of events, reflecting the growth and transformation of both the university and the surrounding community.
From Goodwin Stadium to Sun Devil Stadium: The Early Years
Before Mountain America Stadium, the Sun Devils played at Goodwin Stadium, which had a capacity of only 15,000 seats. As Arizona State College transitioned into Arizona State University in 1958, a new stadium was needed to accommodate the growing student body and rising interest in college sports. Proposition 200, passed in a statewide election, paved the way for the construction of Sun Devil Stadium, which initially offered seating for 30,000 fans, doubling the capacity of its predecessor. The first game was played in the original structure against West Texas State on October 4, 1958, resulting in a 16-13 ASU victory.
University President Grady Gammage played a pivotal role in this transformation, leading the campaign for Proposition 200 and overseeing the addition of the first Master's program. The post-World War II era saw a significant increase in student enrollment, further necessitating the expansion of athletic facilities.
Expansion and Modernization
Throughout its history, Mountain America Stadium has undergone several expansions and renovations to meet the evolving needs of ASU and its fans. Additions were begun in 1976, boosting capacity to 57,722, and in 1977, raising the seating to 70,491. During the 1978 expansion, design features enabled the stadium to be modernized without light supports, sound system supports, or construction pillars in the viewing line of the spectators. The dramatic proximity of every seat to the playing field is another feature.
The expansion of 1988, which added a large seating section that completed the oval of the stadium, added almost 1,700 seats to the stadium's capacity. Also added was the Intercollegiate Athletic Complex at the structure's south end, which is now named the Nadine and Ed Carson Student Athlete Center. The building houses the entire realm of the ASU athletic department.
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In 2014, Arizona State University launched a public fundraising drive to support a plan to rebuild the iconic Sun Devil Stadium. The largest and oldest Arizona State support organization, the Sun Angel Foundation, provided $4.5 million of the necessary funding.
Three phases of renovations totaling $307 million were done between seasons to minimize the disruption for the team, with the third finished in August 2018 before the first game of the season. The renovations reduced the overall seating capacity to approximately 53,000, but combined the two student sections and connected the east and west sides of the stadium. Now, the entire stadium can be accessed from any entrance. Amenities such as restrooms and concessions were also upgraded. A new video board was installed, and a Student-Athlete Facility was constructed. The University plans to use the stadium to host events year-round.
Frank Kush Field
Naming the field at Sun Devil Stadium after former head coach Frank Kush in 1996 reveals another aspect of the stadium's history--the growing importance of college sports on campus. Kush came to Arizona as an assistant coach for the Sun Devils in 1955 and was promoted to head coach in 1958. He was also active in the drive to pass Proposition 200. During his 22-year tenure as head coach, the Sun Devils only had one losing season. The Sun Devils won several conference championships and the first three Fiesta Bowl Games.
On September 21, 1996, the playing surface was named Frank Kush Field as ASU upset top-ranked Nebraska 19-0. The win enhanced a magical night as Coach Kush was honored and hundreds of his former players were in attendance.
A Hub for Major Events
Mountain America Stadium has hosted a multitude of significant events, solidifying its status as a premier venue in the region. It has hosted four national championships - Notre Dame vs. West Virginia in 1988, Nebraska vs. Florida in 1996, Tennessee vs. Florida State in 1999 and Ohio State vs. Miami in 2003. The stadium was the home of the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl for 35 years and the home to the NFL's Arizona Cardinals for 18 seasons.
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In 1987, the stadium was filled beyond capacity for the Papal visit, one of the few sites to play host to the Pope's tour of the United States.
The stadium also played host to the NFL's ultimate showcase - the 1996 Super Bowl where the Dallas Cowboys pulled out a close win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a central venue for large events, Sun Devil Stadium also played an important role in regional music and arts. In March 1976, a press junket and concert was held for the filming of Barbra Streisand's remake of "A Star is Born." The show was a full-day event featuring multiple artists, and several songs were filmed for the movie. Other performers included her movie co-stars, Kris Kristofferson, Peter Frampton, and Santana. The tickets were $3.50. Part of The Rolling Stones' concert film "Let's Spend the Night Together" was filmed at Sun Devil Stadium in 1982, as well as some footage for U2's rockumentary "Rattle and Hum" in 1988.
In 2009 President Barack Obama spoke at the Spring Commencement Ceremony, held at Sun Devil Stadium. The University did not grant an honorary degree to the President during his visit, citing his lack of accomplishments at the time.
Sun Devil Stadium and the Fiesta Bowl
Sun Devil Stadium emerged as one of the most prominent sports venues in the Valley, contributing to the broader sports tourism industry with the inauguration of the Fiesta Bowl in 1971. In the 1960s, then-President G. Homer Durham originally suggested the Bowl. Eventually, a committee was formed to petition the NCAA. The Fiesta Bowl was founded to ensure that Western Athletic Conference champions would have a bowl game to compete in after multiple years of champion teams, including the Sun Devils, on two occasions, were not invited to any major bowl games.
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In 1968 Sun Bowl officials said they would ask the winner of the territorial cup (the game between ASU vs. University of Arizona). Still, UofA insisted on an invitation ahead of the game, saying they would otherwise decline following their assumed victory against the Sun Devils. The Sun Bowl organizers agreed. The Sun Devils beat the Wildcats 30-7 in the game, which would have garnered them an invitation had the Wildcats not issued their ultimatum before the game. In 1970 the Sun Devils were undefeated - but were only invited to the Peach Bowl. The Sun Devils have won five of their six Fiesta Bowl games, including the first three years of the Bowl.
The stadium has been the host of the Fiesta Bowl since January 2007. The first Fiesta Bowl at the stadium was held on January 1, 2007, featuring the Boise State Broncos vs. the University of Oklahoma Sooners, with Boise State winning 43-42 in overtime.
The Cardinals' Nest
Sun Devil Stadium also was home to Arizona's first professional football team. In 1988 the stadium became the home of the Arizona Cardinals. They would share the stadium with the Sun Devils until moving to their new facility in 2006. Traditionally NFL teams wear uniforms in their colors during home games and white for away games. The Cardinals did so for their first home game at Sun Devil Stadium then switched to wearing white at home during the warmer months so the opposing team would have to wear darker colors in the heat.
The Cardinals remained at Sun Devil Stadium much longer than anyone expected. The Cardinals came to Arizona with an agreement that a dedicated stadium would be built for the team. This would allow the organization to access revenue streams they were cut off from as a university tenant. Funding for the new stadium was delayed due to the savings and loan crisis of the 1990s but was eventually approved by Arizona voters.
A New Era: Mountain America Stadium
Sun Devil Stadium has undergone several changes in recent years as it finds its place in the community with the move of the Arizona Cardinals to the newer stadium in Glendale. ASU asked a group of student interns to come up with ideas on how to better utilize the stadium year-round, not just during Sun Devil games, and how to make it more profitable for the University. It was due for renovations anyway - the original construction did not use waterproof concrete because of the desert location. What wasn't taken into account? The water that was used for cleaning. The stands were hosed down after each of the Sun Devil and Cardinal games, leading to rusting foundation supports.
Today, Mountain America Stadium continues to serve as a dynamic hub for sports, entertainment, and community engagement. With its state-of-the-art facilities and ongoing renovations, it remains a source of pride for Arizona State University and a landmark destination for visitors from around the world.
Stadium Facts
- Name: Mountain America Stadium, Frank Kush Field
- Playing Surface: Natural (Hybrid Bermuda grass)
- Lighting: Four banks of quartz-iodide flood lights suspended 200 feet over the playing field.
- Stadium Height: 122 feet from playing field to top of grandstand, approximately 12 stories.
- Press Box: Located atop the west cantilever, accommodates approximately 300 people on three seating platforms. The 360 x 55-foot facility includes a kitchenette, an eating area and lavatories.
- Elevator: Four elevators with one serving the press exclusively.
Memorable Moments
- Largest Crowd: 74,963 vs California, Nov. 9, 1996, ASU 35, California 7
- Frank Kush Field Dedication: September 21, 1996, ASU upset top-ranked Nebraska 19-0.
- Super Bowl XXX: In 1996 Sun Devil Stadium hosted Super Bowl XXX. The field was painted by ASU Athletics Facilities Maintenance Manager Peter Wozniak, who has painted the Sun Devil Stadium field prior to games since he was a student at ASU in the 1980s. Following Super Bowl XXX, the NFL asked him to continue painting the field for pro title games.
- Papal Visit: In 1987, the stadium was filled beyond capacity for the Papal visit, one of the few sites to play host to the Pope's tour of the United States.
- President Obama's Speech: In 2009 President Barack Obama spoke at the Spring Commencement Ceremony, held at Sun Devil Stadium.
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