Davis Wade Stadium
Davis Wade Stadium
Main page
2008149

Davis Wade Stadium

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
Read side by side
Davis Wade Stadium
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Davis Wade Stadium, officially known as Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field is the home venue for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. Originally constructed in 1914 as New Athletic Field, it is the second-oldest stadium in the Football Bowl Subdivision behind Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium, and the fourth oldest in all of college football behind Penn's Franklin Field, Harvard Stadium, and Bobby Dodd Stadium. As of 2022, it has a seating capacity of 60,311 people.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The stadium was built in 1914, as a replacement for Hardy Field,[5] and was called New Athletic Field. The first game it hosted was a Mississippi State win over Marion (Ala.) Military Institute, 54–0, on Oct. 3, 1914.[6] In 1920 the student body adopted a resolution to name the field Scott Field in honor of Donald Scott, an Olympic middle-distance runner and one of the university's football stars from 1915 to 1916.[7] Prior to the 2001 season the stadium was named Davis Wade Stadium in honor of longtime MSU supporter Floyd Davis Wade Sr., co-founder of Aflac, because of a large financial contribution he made toward stadium expansion. The playing surface retained the name Scott Field and the official name of the facility is "Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field".[8]

Renovations and expansions

[edit]

In 1928 permanent seating for 3,000 was built on the west side—the lower level of the current facility's west grandstand. In addition, there were portable stands with a similar capacity bringing the seating total to around 6,000. In 1936, with the use of WPA labor, concrete stands seating 8,000 people were added to the west sidelines and steel bleachers were built on the east sideline and end zones. This brought the total capacity to 20,000. 1948 saw the stadium enlarged once again with the expansion of the west sideline structure and the addition of 12,000 concrete seats and stands in both end zones to bring the total capacity to 35,000. In 1983, the end zone seating was removed, reducing the capacity to 32,000. A 1986 expansion costing $7.2 million, raised without state budget appropriations, added almost 9,000 seats, consisting primarily of a 5,500-seat upper deck as well as permanent lighting and a computerized scoreboard which was replaced in 1997 with a Sony JumboTron. The Frank Turman Fieldhouse received an additional floor to its facility in 1990. Named Leo W. Seal M-Club Centre in honor of Leo W. Seal Sr., a 2-year letter winner at State, it is a meeting place for the letterman organization, the M-Club.

In 1999, the Turman Fieldhouse underwent numerous changes, including remodeled dressing rooms for both teams, and an all-new recruiting lounge, and the stadium began a $50 million expansion and renovation partially funded by Floyd Davis Wade Sr.. The expansion was completed in 2002 bringing the total capacity to 55,082, including 50 skyboxes, 1,700 club-level seats and a second upper deck seating 7,000.

The stadium during a game in 2006

In the fall of 2008 construction was completed on an all-new $6.1 million 112 ft (34 m) wide by 48 ft (15 m) tall HD video display board in the south end zone above the Leo Seal M-Club Center. The LED video system is the tenth largest high-definition video board in college football. The new board was used for the first time on November 1, 2008, during the Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats football game. The main video display is complemented with two HD LED advertising boards on each side of the main board, as well as an HD LED "ribbon ticker" which spans the width of the structure below the main board. Therefore, the total video board square footage (on one structure) is 6,896 square feet (640.7 m2).[9] To complement the all-new video system, a new state-of-the-art sound system has been installed by Pro Sound, headquartered in Miami, Florida.[10]

A $75 million expansion, completed in August 2014, increased the capacity of the stadium to 61,337,[11] created new concessions and restrooms, and created a new west side concourse. Part of the expansion included sealing off the north end zone and installing a large HD video board, similar to the one in the south end zone which replaced the JumboTron that was installed there in 1997.[12]

On June 22, 2022, MSU unveiled a renovation plan called "Balconies at Davis Wade Stadium". The new concept replaces seats on the west side of the upper deck with tiered open-air boxes. The idea behind the renovation is to provide fans with children and those hoping for a more social gameday experience to have the ability to walk around and socialize with fellow fans without having to leave the seating area. The balconies are each 9 feet, 6 inches deep with the exception of the top balconies which are 12 feet deep, and each balcony is equipped with a drink rail in the front. Fans will be able to come in the day before gameday to service their balcony by bringing supplies, chairs, fans, etc. in preparation for the game the following day. Sections 301, 302, 312, 313, along with parts of sections 303 and 311 will have their current bleacher seats removed and be replaced with the new boxes. The renovation is expected to reduce the total seating capacity of Davis Wade Stadium by almost 2,000 seats and is estimated to cost $2.5 million. Currently, the balconies are expected to be completed by mid-August and in operation by the first home game of the season against Memphis on September 3, 2022.[13]

Attendance records

[edit]
Davis Wade Stadium attendance records
Rank Attendance Date Game Result
1 62,945 10-11-2014 No. 3 Mississippi State 38, No. 2 Auburn 23
2 62,531 09-13-2015 No. 14 LSU 21, No. 25 Mississippi State 19
3 62,435 11-14-2015 No. 3 Alabama 31, No. 20 Mississippi State 6
4 62,307 11-01-2014 No. 1 Mississippi State 17, Arkansas 10
5 62,265 11-28-2015 No. 19 Ole Miss 38, No. 23 Mississippi State 27
6 61,889 08-30-2014 Mississippi State 49, Southern Miss 0
7 61,651 10-17-2015 Mississippi State 45, Louisiana Tech 20
8 61,574 09-19-2015 Mississippi State 62, Northwestern State 13
9 61,421 11-08-2014 No. 1 Mississippi State 45, Tennessee-Martin 16
10 61,406 09-29-2018 Florida 13, No. 23 Mississippi State 6

Traditions

[edit]
Davis Wade Stadium on the Mississippi State University campus
The Junction on a home football game day on the campus of Mississippi State University
  • The Junction, located on the south side of the stadium, is a grassy park where Bulldog fans tailgate under tents during sports weekends. It is named The Junction for the railroad that ran through the tailgating area in the campus' past. It also replaced "Malfunction Junction", a set of adjacent intersections where 5 different streets converged on campus. The streets were rerouted around the area and a pedestrian park was built on the site. While many Bulldog fans tailgate in other places on campus, The Junction is unique in that it allows thousands of fans to tailgate under tents directly in front of the stadium without cars or traffic. The Junction has been referred to as the “premier tailgate experience” by the Birmingham-based firm contracted for its design and development.[14]
  • The "Dawg Walk" is held approximately 2 hours before each home game. This is where the team and coaches walk through The Junction to the stadium with the Famous Maroon Band performing and thousands of Bulldog fans lining the walk, cheering the players on.
  • Beginning with the first game of the 2014 season Mississippi State started a new tradition when then head coach Dan Mullen asked the DJ at Davis Wade Stadium to play "Don't Stop Believin'" between the third and fourth quarters of each Bulldog home game. MSU fans took to the song and began to sway and ring their cowbells in sync with the beat while singing along and have done so at every home contest since.[15]
  • One of the Bulldogs' proudest and longest traditions is the ringing of cowbells. From 1977 to 2009, "artificial noisemakers" were banned by the SEC, including cowbells, but fans continued to bring them in even though administrators encouraged fans not to use cowbells and security guards "searched" them upon entry. There could be as many as 40,000 cowbells in the stadium during a big game. In the 2010 season, a compromise was reached on a trial basis allowing fans to legally bring cowbells under SEC rules to games at Davis Wade Stadium as long as the cowbells were only used at sanctioned times: Pregame, quarter breaks and halftime, timeouts, and when Mississippi State scores.[16] Prior to the 2014 season the SEC adopted a new stadium sound policy that gave MSU fans even more leeway to use the cowbells. The new policy "allows schools to play music and use their sound systems at any time during a game, except from the time the center stands over the football to when the ensuing play is whistled dead. The new rule also includes traditional institutional noisemakers, including MSU fans' cowbells."[17]

Facts

[edit]
  • Between October 2009 and September 2014, Davis Wade Stadium hosted 31 consecutive sellouts. That stretch included 9 of the top 10 crowds to attend a game at the stadium. The streak ended with a contest against the University of Alabama at Birmingham (the crowd was one of the top 10 in stadium history but was not enough to keep the sellout streak alive in the newly expanded stadium).[18][19][20]
  • The original Bulldog mascot, Bully I, is buried on the 50 yard-line under the players bench.[21][22][23]
  • The high definition video board is currently the 4th largest video board in the SEC and the 10th largest on-campus video board in the nation.
  • The entire concourse area underneath the East Upper Deck is sealed and climate-controlled.
  • Davis Wade Stadium is one of the locations of the Egg Bowl, the annual rivalry match up between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Ole Miss Rebels of the University of Mississippi. The game alternates between Davis Wade Stadium and Vaught–Hemingway Stadium on the Ole Miss campus. The 100th game between the teams was played at Davis Wade Stadium. Because of the way the locations alternate from year to year, Mississippi State hosts on the odd-numbered years and Ole Miss hosts on the even-numbered years.
  • The first Division I-A college football game played after the September 11 attacks was at Davis Wade Stadium between Mississippi State and the South Carolina Gamecocks on September 20, 2001, and broadcast on ESPN.
  • Mississippi State is credited with being the first to use the song Who Let The Dogs Out? at a sporting event. MSU used the version recorded by Chuck Smooth rather than the Baha Men version. It was played before and during Mississippi State football games and was used for the Dawg Pound Rock once it was moved from the field to the sidelines. Although put on hiatus during Sylvester Croom's tenure as Mississippi State head coach, the Dawg Pound Rock and the song made a popular return in the 2009 season.
  • In 2011 Bleacher Report called it one of college football's top 50 stadiums to see before you die.[24]
[edit]
  • Halftime, Egg Bowl 2009
    Halftime, Egg Bowl 2009
  • Egg Bowl 2009
    Egg Bowl 2009

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Davis Wade Stadium

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field is an outdoor American football stadium located on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, serving as the home venue for the Mississippi State Bulldogs football team of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).[1] Opened in 1914, it is the second-oldest stadium in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and features a seating capacity of 60,311 on a playing surface of Hybrid Bermuda Grass (Certified Tifway 419).[2][1] Originally established as the "New Athletic Field" in 1914, the stadium was dedicated as Scott Field in 1920 in honor of Don Scott, a standout football player and track athlete for the university who later died in World War I.[3] It was renamed Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in 2000 following a major expansion funded in part by donor Floyd Davis "Dave" Wade, a prominent Starkville businessman and philanthropist.[3] Over its century-plus history, the venue has hosted numerous notable events and record-breaking crowds, while fostering traditions such as the pregame Dawg Walk and the ringing of cowbells by fans, which is permitted under SEC policy during designated times.[4][5] The stadium has undergone several expansions to accommodate growing attendance, including a $75 million north end zone and west concourse renovation completed in 2014 that boosted seating to 61,337 before adjustments brought the current figure to 60,311; these upgrades added premium areas like loge boxes, suites, and the Balconies for enhanced fan experiences, with further $9 million improvements in 2025 adding LED lighting, enhanced concessions, renovated restrooms, and improved sound systems.[3][1][6][7]

Overview

Location and accessibility

Davis Wade Stadium is located at 90 B.S. Hood Drive, Starkville, Mississippi 39762, on the campus of Mississippi State University.[8][9] The venue occupies a prominent position in the southern portion of the campus, integrating seamlessly with the surrounding academic and recreational areas.[10] It sits adjacent to The Junction, a expansive pedestrian-friendly zone that anchors pre-game tailgating activities and connects to key university facilities like the Barnes & Noble bookstore and the Cullis Wade Depot Welcome Center.[11] The stadium's placement enhances its role within the university's athletic complex, with nearby landmarks including Humphrey Coliseum, the home of Bulldogs basketball just to the east, and Dudy Noble Field, the renowned baseball venue located to the north.[12] Pedestrian walkways and bike paths facilitate easy access from on-campus dormitories, such as those in the Wise Center area, as well as from off-campus hotels in downtown Starkville, approximately a 10- to 15-minute walk away.[13][14] Accessibility to the stadium is supported by its proximity to major roadways, including U.S. Highway 82 to the north and Mississippi Highway 12 to the south, allowing convenient entry points via campus roads like Barr Avenue and Stone Boulevard.[15] For vehicle arrivals, parking encompasses premium reserved lots for priority ticket holders, general admission pay lots that operate on a cashless basis starting at $20 per space, and overflow grass areas available the day before events.[16][17] Public transit options include the Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit (SMART) system, which provides free game-day shuttles from remote lots, off-campus sites like Walmart, and key campus hubs to stadium drop-off points.[16][18] To ensure inclusivity, the stadium complies with ADA standards through dedicated accessible parking in Lots B and C, disability shuttle carts operating four hours prior to kickoff, ramps at multiple entry gates (such as Gates A, F, and H), elevators serving upper concourses, and wheelchair-accessible seating in sections like 1, 6, 7, 24, and 25 on the west and east sides.[16][19][20] These features, combined with clear signage and staff assistance, promote equitable access for all visitors.[21]

Naming and historical significance

Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field traces its naming origins to the early 20th century. Constructed in 1914 as the New Athletic Field for Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Mississippi State University), the venue served as the home for the school's nascent football program. In 1920, the student body passed a resolution renaming it Scott Field to honor Donald Magruder "Don" Scott, a standout athlete from the class of 1917 who excelled in football and track and field for the Maroons (as the team was then known) from 1914 to 1917. Scott, who later became Mississippi State's first Olympian by placing fifth in the 800-meter run at the 1920 Antwerp Games, also served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War I and continued his military career through World War II and the Korean War.[3][22] The stadium's current name was adopted in recognition of a transformative expansion project in the late 1990s. Longtime MSU alumnus and philanthropist Floyd Davis Wade Sr., a co-founder of AFLAC and dedicated supporter of the university, provided substantial funding for a $30 million renovation that added over 10,000 seats and 50 luxury skyboxes, boosting capacity to more than 55,000 by 2002.[3][23] Prior to the 2000 football season, the facility was officially renamed Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field to commemorate Wade's generosity while retaining the historic Scott Field designation for the playing surface. Wade, who graduated from MSU in 1939, passed away in September 2002 at age 85.[24] As a cornerstone of university tradition, Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field embodies the spirit of Mississippi State pride and community identity. It stands as the second-oldest on-campus stadium among NCAA Division I FBS programs, surpassed only by Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field (opened 1913), and has hosted Bulldog football continuously since its inception over a century ago. The venue's cultural significance is amplified by its role in the storied Egg Bowl rivalry, where Mississippi State annually faces the University of Mississippi in a game that alternates between Davis Wade Stadium and Ole Miss's Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, drawing passionate crowds and symbolizing deep-rooted regional heritage.[25]

Stadium design and facilities

Capacity and seating arrangements

Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field currently holds a seating capacity of 60,311 following the addition of premium balcony seating in 2022, which reduced the prior capacity of 61,337 by approximately 1,000 seats to accommodate enhanced viewing options.[1][26][27] The seating configuration features a lower bowl of original concrete stands along the east and west sidelines, supplemented by upper decks added during expansions in the early 2000s and 2010s. Premium areas include 72 skyboxes and suites, including the original 50 from the early 2000s expansions and 22 added in 2014, distributed across the west upper deck and state level, along with approximately 1,500 club seats in sections such as the Floyd Wade Jr. Club and Scoreboard Club, offering covered access and enhanced amenities, as well as 236 loge seats and 60 field-level suite seats. The north end zone houses a dedicated student section with expanded bleacher seating from recent developments, while the south end zone remains open without stands to preserve views of The Junction tailgating area.[3][28][29] The stadium's layout centers on east and west grandstands flanking the field, with the north end zone providing additional vertical seating tiers and the south end facilitating unobstructed sightlines to adjacent green space. The playing surface is standard college football dimensions of 120 yards long by 53.3 yards wide, covered in hybrid Bermuda grass (Tifway 419 variety) for natural turf play.[1][30][31]

Amenities and technological features

Davis Wade Stadium features a high-definition video board measuring approximately 6,896 square feet, ranking as the fourth-largest in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).[32] Originally equipped with a JumboTron installed in 1997, the stadium's video display system has evolved to support enhanced fan engagement through replays and graphics. In 2025, a state-of-the-art LED lighting system was introduced, providing uniform illumination on the field while enabling color-changing effects and synchronized light shows coordinated with music to amplify game-day excitement.[33] This system, custom-designed for energy efficiency, contributes to sustainability efforts by reducing power consumption compared to traditional lighting.[34] The stadium's audio infrastructure includes a newly upgraded field-level sound system installed in 2025, featuring additional subwoofers for improved volume and clarity across seating areas.[7] Complementing this, comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage via the HAILSTATE network is available throughout the venue, including at entry gates, allowing fans to access digital content and services without interruption.[35] Premium lounges enhance the visitor experience, with spaces like the Scoreboard Club offering exclusive access to food and beverage stations, comfortable restrooms, flat-screen televisions, and climate-controlled environments.[36] Other upscale areas, such as the Floyd Wade Club and South Loge, provide private entrances, lockers, and upscale amenities for select ticket holders.[37] Amenities focused on comfort and convenience include 2025 enhancements to concessions, introducing diverse food options and streamlined service for quicker access during events.[38] Restrooms on the east side underwent renovations in the same year, improving capacity and facilities to better accommodate crowds.[38] The west concourse received aesthetic redesigns, featuring modern finishes to create a more inviting atmosphere for circulation and pre-game gatherings.[39] A notable cultural feature is the burial site of Bully I, the original Mississippi State Bulldogs mascot, interred at midfield beneath the players' bench since 1939, symbolizing the program's deep-rooted traditions.[40]

History

Origins and early years

Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field originated as the New Athletic Field, constructed in 1914 on a vacant pasture site in Starkville, Mississippi, to serve as the new home for Mississippi A&M College's athletic programs.[3] This development replaced the earlier Hardy Field, which had hosted football and livestock events since its opening in 1905.[41] The initial facilities featured wooden bleachers providing seating for approximately 7,200 spectators.[42] The stadium's first football game took place on October 3, 1914, with the Mississippi A&M Aggies securing a 54–0 victory over Marion Military Institute.[3] In its early years, the venue supported a range of athletic activities, including football, baseball, and track and field events, fostering a growing tradition of campus sports.[43] By 1920, the student body renamed the field Scott Field in honor of Don Magruder Scott, a pioneering football player and Olympic sprinter from the university.[3] Early expansions focused on improving infrastructure to accommodate rising attendance. In 1928, permanent concrete seating for 3,000 was added to the west side at a cost of $15,000, supplemented by portable east-side stands of similar capacity.[3] The Great Depression era brought further enhancements through federal assistance; in 1936, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided labor for new concrete grandstands on the west side, seating 8,000 and elevating the total capacity to 20,000.[3][42] These upgrades reflected the stadium's evolution into a central hub for intercollegiate competition.[44] Pre-World War II growth solidified Scott Field's role in Southern college football, with capacity expansions enabling larger crowds for Southeastern Conference contests.[44] During World War II, the stadium maintained its operations as Mississippi State continued its full football schedule in 1942 and 1943, though wartime conditions likely influenced attendance and programming.[44] Post-war activities resumed without interruption, setting the stage for mid-century developments in the venue's history.[44]

Key developments and renaming

Following World War II, Scott Field underwent a significant expansion in 1948 to accommodate growing attendance, increasing its capacity to 35,000 seats through the addition of 15,000 concrete seats on the west side and 12,000 on the east side.[3] This post-war upgrade reflected the rising popularity of college football and Mississippi State's emerging program, solidifying the venue's role as a central hub for Bulldog athletics. During the 1960s and 1970s, the stadium maintained relative stability under its longstanding name, Scott Field, with minimal structural changes while consistently hosting home games amid the team's competitive seasons in the Southeastern Conference.[42] In the late 20th century, key milestones enhanced the stadium's prominence. The installation of permanent lighting in 1986 enabled the venue's first night game, expanding scheduling flexibility and fan experience.[42] Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, Davis Wade Stadium hosted the nation's first Division I-A college football game on September 20, 2001, against South Carolina, drawing widespread attention as a symbol of national resilience and unity just nine days after the tragedy.[45] The renaming in 2000 marked a pivotal transition, honoring longtime Mississippi State supporter and Aflac co-founder Floyd Davis Wade Sr. for his major financial contribution to the impending stadium expansion. Announced that year and effective for the 2001 season, the facility became known as Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, retaining the historic "Scott Field" designation for the playing surface to preserve its legacy dating back to 1914.[42] This change underscored the venue's evolving institutional role, including its status as the home site for Mississippi State-hosted Egg Bowl rivalry games against Ole Miss, a tradition that has continued prominently since the 1980s.[46]

Renovations and expansions

Early 20th-century upgrades

In 1928, the first significant upgrade to Scott Field (now Davis Wade Stadium) involved the construction of 3,000 permanent seats on the west side at a cost of $15,000, marking a shift from temporary wooden bleachers to more durable concrete structures, while portable stands were added on the east side to accommodate additional spectators.[3] By 1936, during the Great Depression, the stadium benefited from federal funding through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which supported the erection of concrete grandstands on the west side seating 8,000 fans, supplemented by bleachers on the east side and end zones to reach a total capacity of 20,000; this project also included the addition of a dedicated press box to enhance media facilities.[3] These WPA-backed improvements emphasized infrastructural resilience, replacing earlier makeshift elements with permanent concrete to support growing attendance at Mississippi State University football games.[28] Following World War II, a major post-war expansion in 1948 enlarged the venue to 35,000 seats by extending the west side concrete stands to 15,000 and constructing 12,000 concrete seats on the east side, including the addition of upper decks on both sidelines to improve sightlines and overall capacity.[3] This upgrade reflected the postwar boom in college athletics and the need for larger, more stable facilities amid rising fan interest.[47] The 1980s brought further modernization with a $7.2 million project completed in 1986, which added 9,000 seats primarily on the west side—including a 5,500-seat upper deck, 1,700 chairback seats along the sideline, and 1,800 in the south end zone—while installing permanent lighting, a JumboTron video board, and an upgraded scoreboard, boosting the total capacity to approximately 41,000.[3] These enhancements not only addressed seating demands but also introduced key technological infrastructure, such as reliable nighttime illumination and enhanced visual displays, solidifying the stadium's role as a premier Southeastern Conference venue.[48]

21st-century projects and recent enhancements

In the early 2000s, Davis Wade Stadium underwent a significant $30 million expansion primarily funded by philanthropist Floyd Davis Wade Sr., which added approximately 10,500 seats, including a new upper deck section, 1,700 club-level seats, and 50 luxury skyboxes, increasing the overall capacity to approximately 55,000 by the 2002 season.[3][23] In 2005, permanent north end zone seating replaced temporary bleachers, finalizing the capacity at 55,082.[3] This project focused on enhancing premium viewing options and revenue generation through modern amenities, marking a shift toward fan-centric upgrades in the stadium's evolution.[30] A decade later, in 2014, a $75 million north end zone expansion and renovation project further modernized the facility, introducing new premium seating areas such as suites, loge boxes, and scoreboard club sections, along with a large high-definition video board, restrooms, concessions, and elevators, boosting capacity to 61,337.[49][29] The initiative, completed ahead of the 2014 football season, emphasized improved accessibility and sightlines while generating additional income from high-end offerings.[50] In 2022, Mississippi State University implemented the Balconies renovation, converting upper-deck corner seating into 22 flexible standing platforms—11 on each end zone side—to provide enhanced mobility, social interaction, and unobstructed views for groups, resulting in a slight capacity reduction to 60,311 to prioritize quality over quantity in fan experience.[6][26] This innovative design drew inspiration from successful standing-room concepts at other venues, aiming to foster a more dynamic atmosphere without major structural overhauls.[51] Most recently, in 2025, a $9 million facelift addressed ongoing fan and operational needs, featuring a new state-of-the-art LED lighting system capable of synchronized light shows and special effects—the first such upgrade since 2010—along with enhanced halftime presentations including drone displays and expanded fireworks capabilities.[7] Additional improvements encompassed new concession options like the Junction Grille and AI-powered self-checkout beverage stands on the west concourse, renovated east concourse restrooms for better efficiency, and a refreshed west concourse with improved signage and spaciousness by removing outdated elements.[7] These enhancements debuted during the home opener against Arizona State on September 6, 2025, continuing the stadium's tradition of iterative modernization to elevate the overall attendee experience.[7]

Records and notable events

Attendance milestones

The all-time attendance record at Davis Wade Stadium is 62,945, set on October 11, 2014, during a 38–23 victory over Auburn.[52][53] This mark surpassed the previous high of 61,889 from the August 30, 2014, season opener against Southern Miss and remains the largest crowd in stadium history. The second-highest attendance is 62,307 from a November 1, 2014, game against Arkansas.[54][28] From October 2009 to September 2014, Davis Wade Stadium achieved 31 consecutive sellouts, a streak that included nine of the top ten largest crowds in its history at the time.[28][55] This period coincided with strong team performance under coach Dan Mullen and expansions that increased capacity to 61,337 seats in 2014. Recent seasons have seen average home attendance stabilize around 50,000 to 55,000, with 54,455 in 2023 and 48,809 in 2024.[56][57] In 2025, the September 27 game against Tennessee drew 60,417 fans, the largest attendance since the 2022 Egg Bowl.[58] Several factors influence attendance at Davis Wade Stadium. SEC rivalries, particularly the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss, consistently draw large crowds exceeding 60,000; for instance, the 2023 edition attracted 60,412 fans.[59] Adverse weather conditions can reduce turnout, as noted in 2019 when rainy games contributed to the lowest average attendance since the 2014 expansion.[60] Ticket policies, including season ticket priorities and dynamic pricing for high-demand games, also play a role in sustaining sellouts during peak periods.[61] The 2002 expansion, which raised capacity from approximately 40,000 to 55,082 seats, significantly boosted average attendance by enabling larger crowds for SEC matchups and leading to more frequent sellouts in subsequent years.[28][47] This upgrade marked a turning point, with home averages rising from the low 40,000s in the early 2000s to over 50,000 by the mid-decade.[62]

Historic games and firsts

The inaugural game at what is now Davis Wade Stadium, then known as New Athletic Field, occurred on October 3, 1914, when the Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated Marion Military Institute 54–0 in a dominant performance that marked the venue's debut as the program's home field.[63] One of the stadium's most poignant historic moments came on September 20, 2001, when Mississippi State hosted South Carolina in the first major college football game following the September 11 terrorist attacks, drawing national attention as a symbol of resilience with a 16–14 loss for the Bulldogs broadcast on ESPN.[64] The event featured pre-game ceremonies uniting players, bands, and military personnel on the field, underscoring the stadium's role beyond athletics during a time of national mourning.[65] In 2014, Davis Wade Stadium witnessed a landmark upset on October 11, as No. 3 Mississippi State rallied to defeat No. 2 Auburn 38–23, propelled by quarterback Dak Prescott's two rushing touchdowns and one passing score, propelling the Bulldogs toward an undefeated start and injecting the team into the SEC championship conversation.[66] The victory, which also set a then-record attendance, highlighted the venue's electric atmosphere in high-stakes SEC matchups.[66] The annual Egg Bowl rivalry game against Ole Miss has produced several thrillers at the stadium, including the 2021 edition on November 25, where No. 9 Ole Miss edged Mississippi State 31–21 on Thanksgiving, securing the Rebels' first 10-win season since 2015 and maintaining intense stakes for both programs' bowl eligibility and bragging rights.[67] The first night game at Davis Wade Stadium took place in 1982 against LSU, utilizing temporary lights for an ESPN Thursday night broadcast that introduced evening football to the venue and drew significant national viewership.[68] Permanent lighting arrived with the 1986 expansion, enhancing the stadium's capabilities for future primetime contests.[30] Beyond football, Davis Wade Stadium has hosted occasional non-athletic events, including university commencement ceremonies—such as the return of Starkville campus graduations on May 12, 2023—and concerts like Sugarland's performance, expanding its utility as a community gathering space.[69][70] Several games at the stadium have carried direct implications for the SEC championship race, such as the 2014 Auburn clash, which kept Mississippi State's title hopes alive amid their perfect regular-season push, alongside multiple Egg Bowl installments that have influenced divisional standings and conference tiebreakers.[66]

Traditions and fan culture

Pre-game rituals and tailgating

Tailgating at Davis Wade Stadium has become a cornerstone of Mississippi State University football culture, drawing thousands of fans to campus for pre-game festivities that foster community and school spirit. Fans set up elaborate tents, RVs, and displays filled with food, games, and maroon-and-white decorations, transforming parking lots and green spaces into vibrant gatherings hours before kickoff.[71][72] Central to these activities is The Junction, a pedestrian-friendly park located south of the stadium that serves as the primary hub for Bulldog tailgating. Developed in 2005 from the former "Malfunction Junction"—a notoriously congested intersection of five roads—this green space accommodates thousands of students, alumni, and visitors who erect a sea of tents for camaraderie and game-day excitement.[72][73] The area features south and east entrances, facilitating easy access for tailgaters engaging in activities like grilling, cornhole, and socializing under the shade of oaks.[72] A key pre-game ritual is the Dawg Walk, where the Mississippi State football team, coaches, and mascot Bully process through The Junction to the stadium approximately two hours before kickoff. Fans line the path to cheer, offering high-fives and encouragement to build motivation and unity among players and supporters. This tradition, which dates back to at least 2012 and was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming in 2022, underscores the bond between the Bulldogs and their community.[4][74][75] Other customs enhance the pre-game atmosphere, including Maroon Friday events that kick off the weekend with university-wide pride displays. On Fridays before home games, initiatives like the Maroon Friday Freebie Frenzy distribute MSU gear, treats, and stickers to students and fans, encouraging widespread wearing of maroon attire to rally support. Alumni gatherings, organized by the MSU Alumni Association, feature dedicated tailgate zones with catered food, beverages, and screens for out-of-town games, often at locations like The Mill near campus. At stadium gates, fans openly carry their iconic cowbells—a symbol of Bulldog loyalty permitted inside Davis Wade Stadium since 2010—adding to the festive buildup as they enter.[76][77][78][79] Tailgating traditions at Mississippi State evolved significantly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, shifting from scattered campus parking to formalized, centralized experiences. Informal gatherings grew in the 1990s amid rising football popularity, but the creation of The Junction in the mid-2000s marked a pivotal formalization, replacing chaotic roadways with a dedicated tailgating venue that amplified community engagement.[73][72]

In-game customs and atmosphere

The in-game atmosphere at Davis Wade Stadium is defined by the relentless ringing of cowbells, a tradition unique to Mississippi State University within the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Originating in the late 1930s and early 1940s as a symbol of good luck—stemming from a legend of a cow wandering onto the field during a victory over rival Ole Miss—the cowbells became an iconic fixture by the 1960s.[80][79][81] Banned by the SEC from 1974 to 2010 as part of a prohibition on artificial noisemakers, they were reinstated in 2010 through a compromise allowing their use only during pre-game activities, halftime, timeouts, and after Mississippi State scoring plays.[82][83] In 2014, the SEC expanded permissions, permitting ringing throughout the game except when the ball is live during an opponent's offensive play—specifically, from the time the offensive center is over the football until the play is whistled dead—to balance tradition with fair play.[84][81] This SEC-exclusive policy has transformed the "Cowbell Army"—the nickname for the passionate fanbase—into a defining auditory element, with thousands of fans wielding handmade or purchased bells to create a cacophony that echoes across the stadium.[85] Music and chants further amplify the energy during games, fostering unity and momentum among spectators. The university's fight song, "Hail State," composed in 1939 by Joseph Burleson Peavey, is performed frequently by the Famous Maroon Band and echoed by the crowd during key moments like touchdowns and defensive stands.[79] Since 2014, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" has been played at the start of the fourth quarter, prompting fans to stand and sing along in a ritual that energizes the Bulldogs during late-game pushes.[86][87] In 2025, the stadium debuted a state-of-the-art LED lighting system, enabling synchronized light shows that pulse with music and chants, enhancing visual spectacle during timeouts and scoring celebrations.[33][39] The combination of these elements contributes to Davis Wade Stadium's reputation as one of the loudest venues in the SEC, where the layered sounds of cowbells, cheers, and band performances create an intimidating environment for opponents.[88] The stadium's acoustics, bolstered by recent renovations, direct noise toward the field, with peaks often cited in media reports as rivaling the conference's most raucous atmospheres.[89] Ushers enforce cowbell policies through verbal reminders and video board messages promoting "responsible ringing" to comply with SEC guidelines, while the overall setting remains family-oriented, with clear bag policies and security measures ensuring accessibility for all ages.[90][91][92]

References

  1. [PDF] 2025 MISSISSIPPI STATE FOOTBALL RECORD BOOK
  2. Davis Wade Stadium - Visit Mississippi
  3. None
  4. The Return Of The Dawg Walk - Mississippi State Athletics
  5. MSU Football Gameday A-Z - Mississippi State Athletics
  6. Introducing The Balconies At Davis Wade Stadium - Mississippi State
  7. Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field Tickets - SeatGeek
  8. Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field - Mississippi State - MapQuest
  9. [PDF] 2025–2026 Parking Map - Transportation
  10. The Junction | MSU Alumni
  11. Facilities - Mississippi State Athletics
  12. Parking and Directions | Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  13. Campus Maps & Directories | Mississippi State University Welcome ...
  14. Directions to MSU - Mississippi State Athletics
  15. Mississippi State Parking - Transportation
  16. Football Single Game Parking - Mississippi State University
  17. Schedule & Routes | Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit
  18. [PDF] Davis Wade Stadium Guide Information - Amazon S3
  19. Mississippi State Bulldogs Football Interactive Seating Chart | TickPick
  20. Tickets & Parking - Mississippi State Bulldog Club
  21. Don Scott (1970) - Hall of Fame - Mississippi State Athletics
  22. The New Face of Davis Wade Stadium | 2015-05-13 - Walls & Ceilings
  23. The 32 oldest on-campus college football stadiums in America
  24. Mississippi State football tries 'something different' with new ...
  25. Miss. State finalizes $75 million expansion plan for Davis-Wade ...
  26. Davis Wade Stadium | American Football Wiki | Fandom
  27. Mississippi State University Davis Wade Stadium Renovation ... - HOK
  28. Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field - College Gridirons
  29. None
  30. EA Sports ranks Mississippi State's Davis Wade Stadium as No. 25 ...
  31. New In 2025: State-Of-The-Art LED Lighting System At Davis Wade ...
  32. LED Innovation at Davis Wade Stadium - Action Services Group
  33. Elevating The Experience: What's New At Davis Wade Stadium In ...
  34. Gameday - Mississippi State Athletics
  35. Scoreboard Club | Bulldog Suites
  36. Floyd Wade Club Level at Davis Wade Stadium - RateYourSeats.com
  37. What's new at Davis Wade Stadium for Mississippi State football 2025
  38. MSU showcases Davis Wade Stadium upgrades ahead of 2025 ...
  39. MSU's first beloved Bully got unique burial place - al.com
  40. [PDF] Journal of Mississippi History - The Aquila Digital Community
  41. [PDF] The Modernization of Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field from 1914 ...
  42. Davis Wade Stadium- Mississippi State Stadium 1914 Scott Field - Clio
  43. History of the SEC: Mississippi State Bulldogs - Sports Illustrated
  44. How a South Carolina Football Game Helped Start the Healing After ...
  45. How every SEC football stadium got its name - Saturday Down South
  46. A Look Back at FBS College Football's 10 Oldest Stadiums
  47. Davis Wade Stadium: History, Capacity, Events & Significance
  48. Philanthropist Davis Wade Sr. dies at age 85 - The Reflector
  49. Mississippi State to expand Davis Wade Stadium capacity to 61,337
  50. Davis Wade Stadium Expansion & Renovation - Roy Anderson Corp
  51. A look at The Balconies at Davis Wade Stadium Mississippi State ...
  52. Mississippi State fans set Davis-Wade Stadium attendance record
  53. Mississippi State calls on fans to turn Davis Wade into a nightmare ...
  54. Mississippi State Football on X: "Tonight's attendance of 62,307 ...
  55. MSU not worried about end of sellout streak - The Dispatch
  56. 2023 FBS Attendance Trends - D1.ticker
  57. 2024 FBS Attendance Trends | College Athletics News | D1 ticker
  58. Mississippi State confirms all seats sold for SEC opener ... - 247 Sports
  59. Mississippi State football had worst home attendance since 2013
  60. Bulldog Roundup: Davis Wade Stadium sold out for first SEC game
  61. 2001 Mississippi State Bulldogs Stats - Sports-Reference.com
  62. History of Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field - Bulldog Suites
  63. 9-20 - MSU Films - Mississippi State University
  64. Remembering 9/11: 9 days after attacks, MSU took football field
  65. Mississippi State 38-23 Auburn (Oct 11, 2014) Final Score - ESPN
  66. Matt Corral, No. 9 Ole Miss Top Mississippi State in 2021 Egg Bowl ...
  67. #10 - 1982 LSU at Mississippi State - YouTube
  68. MSU graduation returns to Davis Wade Stadium with May 12 ...
  69. Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS, USA Concert Setlists | setlist.fm
  70. The Junction | Mississippi State University
  71. The Junction - Mississippi State
  72. BACK STORY | Malfunction Junction - Alumnus Magazine
  73. The Dawg Walk Before The 2012 Egg Bowl! - 11/24/12 - YouTube
  74. College Football Gamedays: Mississippi State University
  75. Maroon Friday Freebie Frenzy - Mississippi State University
  76. Maroon Fridays | Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  77. Alumni Football Tailgate Events | MSU Alumni
  78. Mississippi State Traditions
  79. The Cowbell | MSU Alumni
  80. https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2025/11/08/mississippi-state-cowbells-football-games-georgia/87073392007/
  81. Why Are Mississippi State Fans Allowed to Use the Cowbells?
  82. SEC Renews Institutional Sound Policy - Mississippi State
  83. SEC clarifies cowbell compromise - The Commercial Dispatch
  84. Hidden gems of college football - Sports Business Journal
  85. 4th Quarter Tradition at Mississippi State - Don't Stop Believin'
  86. A New Day Dawns For Dawgs Everywhere - Mississippi State Athletics
  87. Davis Wade Stadium - Mississippi State Bulldogs
  88. Stadium Spotlight: Clanga's gotten louder at Miss. State's Davis Wade
  89. Less cowbell? Mississippi State urges fans to "ring responsibly ...
  90. Miss. St. AD: Heed cowbell rules - ESPN
  91. here - Mississippi State Athletics
User Avatar
No comments yet.