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Veterans Memorial Stadium (La Crosse)

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Coordinates: 43°48′57″N 91°13′34″W / 43.81595°N 91.226177°W / 43.81595; -91.226177
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Veterans Memorial Stadium
Map
LocationLa Crosse, Wisconsin
Public transitBus transport MTU:  4 
Bus transport Jefferson Lines
Bus transport Wisconsin Coach Lines
OwnerUniversity of Wisconsin–La Crosse
Capacity10,000
SurfaceNatural Grass
Construction
Broke ground2008
Tenants
University of Wisconsin–La Crosse

Veterans Memorial Stadium or Veterans Memorial Sports Complex[1] is an outdoor stadium and sports complex in La Crosse, Wisconsin on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. As part of a larger sports complex, it is the home field of the UWL Eagles football and track & field teams. The stadium includes a 10-lane, 400 meter track complex and has hosted several NCAA championships in addition to hosting the annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association state high school track and field championships each June. The stadium complex also houses the Veterans Hall of Honor.

History

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Originally built as Fairground Football Field, the stadium was built and owned by the City of La Crosse.[2] In 1948 it was dedicated and renamed Veterans Memorial Field in honor of veterans from all wars. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse bought the stadium in 1987 for $1 from the city and later included improvements to the structure and exterior appearances.

Rebuild and expansion

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In 2009, Veterans Memorial Complex was fully rebuilt and expanded to increase stadium seating to around 10,000.[3] The $16 million project included improvements with expanded seating, private suites, a media box, food concessions, restrooms, locker rooms, classrooms, and an indoor Veterans Hall of Honor facility. Additional enhancements to the complex included expanded surrounding athletic fields for soccer and intramural sports.

The expansion supported the university as it sought to attract and retain large events such as the annual WIAA state track meet, while having the necessary fields and associated structures to support both UW–La Crosse athletic and recreational activities as well as community events.

In 2023 UWL opened a $49 million indoor fieldhouse adjacent to the stadium.[4] The 144,000-square-foot facility includes a 200-meter indoor track, locker rooms, training rooms, athletic facilities, and space for offices and team meetings.

NFL training

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From 1988-1999 the New Orleans Saints used the stadium facilities for the team's summer training camp.[5] The university is said to be interested in attracting another NFL team to the campus.

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UW-L football game at Roger Harring Veterans Memorial Stadium
UW-L soccer and Lacrosse field
Veterans Memorial sports complex lit up in the evening

Notes

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  1. ^ "Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex".
  2. ^ "Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex". University of Wisconsin La Crosse Athletics. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. ^ "UW-L to dedicate stadium Sept. 12". UW-La Crosse. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  4. ^ Walz, Alexia (20 January 2023). "New UW La Crosse Fieldhouse to open on Saturday". News8000.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  5. ^ Whittaker, Rachel (16 July 2015). "This date in New Orleans Saints history: Training camp moves to La Crosse". nola.com. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
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43°48′57″N 91°13′34″W / 43.81595°N 91.226177°W / 43.81595; -91.226177

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