Drake Stadium: A Legacy of Track and Field at UCLA

Drake Stadium, located on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is an iconic athletic facility with a rich history. Primarily known as the home of the UCLA Bruins men's and women's track and field teams, the stadium has also hosted soccer matches and various other events. With a seating capacity of 11,700, Drake Stadium stands as a testament to UCLA's commitment to athletic excellence and its enduring legacy in the world of track and field.

Origins and Naming

Drake Stadium was constructed in 1969. It was named in honor of Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake, a legendary figure in UCLA athletics. Drake served the university for over 60 years as a student-athlete, track coach, and athletic trainer, leaving an indelible mark on the institution. The stadium's dedication in 1973 solidified Drake's legacy, ensuring that his contributions to UCLA would be remembered for generations to come.

A Shift in Focus: From Football Dreams to Track and Field Reality

In 1965, a proposal was put forth to construct a 44,000-seat "Multi-Purpose Stadium" on campus. This stadium was envisioned to host UCLA Bruins track meets and varsity football games, providing an on-campus alternative to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the Bruins then played their home football games.

However, the proposal faced significant opposition. UCLA students twice voted against using fee funds to build a football stadium. Influential area residents and politicians also voiced their disapproval. By February 1966, UCLA scaled back the project, leading to the construction of Drake Stadium in its current configuration.

The reasons behind the opposition were multifaceted. Some students were against using their fees to fund a stadium. Residents in nearby Bel-Air, Brentwood, Westwood, and South Westwood were concerned about potential parking problems, traffic, noise, and interruptions on game days. Even Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown and University of California regent Dorothy Chandler sided with the homeowners, influenced by political considerations and fundraising efforts.

Charles E. Young, former UCLA chancellor, who was immersed in stadium planning efforts as Murphy’s vice chancellor, tried to assuage the homeowners’ concerns, telling them most people going to the game would already be on campus and parking would not be an issue given the availability of spaces on weekends.

Ultimately, the regents delivered a double setback to UCLA’s stadium efforts. Not only was the proposed football stadium nixed, but any stadium built on that spot could also not later be enlarged into a facility that could house a football team.

Young said, “That’s damning, damning, damning. Not only can you not do it now, but you can’t do it in such a way that in some time in the future, if things change, you could then go ahead and expand it.”

John Sandbrook, a former longtime UCLA aide to Young, said, “In my opinion, the idea of an on-campus football stadium would still be DOA just like it was several decades ago. Today, the reality is that such a proposal, even if it could be built, would be highly disruptive for campus operations on weekends each fall, the extent of which is much greater today than 55 years ago. Notwithstanding the dreams of some, I would think there would be very little support, overall, for revisiting the 1965 decision in the current environment, even at a smaller scale of, say, 30,000 seats.”

Despite the setback, UCLA moved forward with plans for Drake Stadium, which received UC regent support even though it was also funded by student fees. The football team continued to play alongside USC at the Coliseum until 1982, when another tenant arrived in the NFL’s Raiders. Young, who by then had become UCLA’s chancellor, moved the Bruins to the Rose Bowl that same year in a decision wildly unpopular with coach Terry Donahue.

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Donahue worried about the Bruins deserting central Los Angeles and the Black community so crucial to the team’s recruiting. But by the end of that first season, UCLA playing before a crowd of 104,991 for its victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl game, Donahue was among the biggest backers of the Bruins’ new home.

Decades later, UCLA and Miami remain the only Power Five conference teams to play home games more than a short drive from campus.

Gary Beban, the former UCLA quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 1967, said, “The lack of an on-campus stadium is the missing component to the most productive and decorated collegiate athletic department in existence.”

A Hub for Track and Field Excellence

Since its opening, Drake Stadium has been a premier venue for track and field competitions. It has hosted numerous prestigious events, including:

Pacific-10 (now Pac-12) Track and Field Championships
USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships (1976-77-78)
Pacific-8 Championships (1970 and 1977)
CIF California State Meet for high schools (1969-71-77)
California-Nevada Championships (1994)

These events have showcased some of the world's most talented athletes, contributing to Drake Stadium's reputation as a world-class track and field facility.

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The thrilling dual meets between UCLA and USC in 1971 (a 75-70 USC upset) and 1975 (a 75-70 UCLA victory) are both considered classics in the stadium's history. The stadium seats 11,142 but 15,069 crammed in for the 1975 UCLA-USC dual.

A Record-Breaking Moment

Drake Stadium holds a special place in track and field history as the site where Randy Barnes set a world record in the shot put on May 20, 1990. Barnes's throw of 23.12 meters (75 feet 10 inches) stood for over 31 years, solidifying Drake Stadium's status as a venue where athletic greatness is achieved.

Marshall Field

The grass infield of Drake Stadium is named Marshall Field. Widely considered one of the finest playing surfaces in the country, Marshall Field is a 75-yard by 120-yard soccer surface.

Track Conversion

The track has been converted from a conventional American 400-yard eight-lane oval with a 106-degree radius turn to a new European 400-meter nine-lane (48″ width lane) with a 136 degree radius on the turn.

Other Uses

In addition to track and field, Drake Stadium served as the home of UCLA's men's and women's soccer teams until 2017, when the nearby Wallis Annenberg Stadium opened. The stadium also hosts UCLA's annual commencement exercises, providing a memorable setting for graduates and their families.

Location and Access

Drake Stadium is located at 340 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles, CA 90095, on the north end of the UCLA campus. It is accessible from Sunset Boulevard on the north (Sunset off-ramp from the San Diego (405) Freeway) or Westwood Boulevard from the south (Wilshire off-ramp from the 405). The stadium is situated west of the John Wooden Center and north of the LA Tennis Center in central campus.

Facility Information

Track: A 400-meter, nine-lane Martin Surfacing polyurethane surface with 136-degree radius turns.
Infield: A natural-grass field measuring 75 yards by 120 yards.
Seating: Aluminum bleacher seats with backs accommodating 11,700 spectators.
Lighting: Lights for night events.
Amenities: A full-service ticket office at the stadium entrance, a large concession facility, a wide concourse, and a full-service press box.
Parking: Ample parking is available in nearby university lots.

Policies and Procedures

Drake Stadium has specific policies and procedures in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all users. Some key policies include:

An active membership or approved reservation is required for access.
Youth must be attended and supervised by an adult at all times.
Participants must wear appropriate attire, including a top, bottom, and closed-toe/closed-heel athletic shoes.
Bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, and non-electric scooters are not permitted.
Beverages must be in a spill-proof, unbreakable, re-sealable container.
Photography and video recording are prohibited unless approved by UCLA Recreation management.

Annual Facility Hours

Below are the standard hours of operation for Drake Stadium.

Monday - Thursday: 6:00A - 9:00A & 5:00P - 10:00P
Friday: 6:00A - 9:00A & 5:00P - 8:00P
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00A - 8:00P
Holiday Hours: 2:00P - 6:00P

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