Autzen Stadium
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Autzen Stadium is a sports facility owned and operated by the University of Oregon Athletic Department. Located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, the stadium opened in 1967. After several expansions, it now seats approximately 54,000.
The stadium is best known as the football venue of the University of Oregon Ducks. Autzen has always proved to be a formidable place for opposing teams to challenge the Ducks. It is consistently ranked by sporting magazines and broadcasters as one of the most challenging places to play in all of college football.
It was recently described by Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr as "the loudest stadium I've ever been in." The Michigan Daily went into further detail, writing "Autzen's 59,000 strong make the 'Big House' collectively sound like a pathetic whimper. It's louder than 'The Swamp' at Florida, 'The Shoe' in Columbus and 'Death Valley' at Louisiana State. Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die."
Renowned college football expert Lee Corso also once stated, "Per person, the Oregon stadium is the loudest stadium I’ve ever been in. The fact that it’s so low to the ground doesn’t allow the sound to escape."
Autzen Stadium also plays host to other events, such as the Oregon 4-A high school championship football game, and marching band competitions. It is the largest sporting arena in the state of Oregon.
The stadium is named for Thomas J. Autzen, of Portland. His foundation, the Autzen Foundation, gave the university $250,000 for construction of the facility. The first game played at Autzen Stadium was on September 23, 1967. Colorado defeated Oregon, 17-13. The first win in the stadium was on October 21. Idaho was defeated 31-6. That was the only victory for Oregon at Autzen Stadium that year. The playing surface is named for Rich Brooks, the coach who took the Ducks to the Rose Bowl in 1995. He currently is the head coach at Kentucky.
The stadium is tucked between the Willamette River and Coburg Hills. The uniquely shaped bowl blends in with the wooded Eugene landscape. Spectators typically arrive to the game walking on a 1/8th-mile scenic footbridge over the Willamette. The stadium was prominently featured in one of the closing scenes of the 1978 film "Animal House," which was filmed primarily at the University of Oregon.
The stadium alternates with Reser Stadium at Oregon State University in hosting the Civil War game between Oregon and Oregon State.
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