Spartan Municipal Stadium facts for kids
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| Full name | Spartan Municipal Stadium |
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| Former names | Universal Stadium (1928–1970) |
| Owner | City of Portsmouth |
| Capacity | 8,500 |
| Surface | grass |
| Tenants | |
| Portsmouth Spartans (NFL) (1930–1933) Notre Dame High School football (SOC) (1928–present) |
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Spartan Municipal Stadium is a famous sports field in Portsmouth, Ohio. It was once known as Universal Stadium. This stadium has a long history, hosting both professional and high school football games.
From 1930 to 1933, the stadium was home to the National Football League team, the Portsmouth Spartans. It was built in 1928 and could hold up to 8,200 people. In 1970, its name changed to Spartan Municipal Stadium. Because of its important past, it was named a state historical site on October 5, 2003. The City of Portsmouth currently owns the stadium.
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What is Spartan Municipal Stadium?
Spartan Municipal Stadium is a historic sports venue located in Portsmouth, Ohio. It is mainly used for football games. The stadium has a grass field and can hold many fans. It plays a big part in the local community's sports history.
Early Days of the Stadium
The stadium first opened in 1928. Back then, it was called Universal Stadium. It quickly became a popular spot for football. Many local high school teams played there.
Home of the Portsmouth Spartans
One of the most exciting times for the stadium was when the Portsmouth Spartans played there. This team was part of the National Football League (NFL). They used the stadium as their home field from 1930 to 1933. It was a big deal to have an NFL team in Portsmouth.
Stadium Changes Over Time
Over the years, Spartan Municipal Stadium has seen many updates. After a fire in the 1990s, the city worked to fix parts of the stadium. They replaced walls and the press box. The lights were also made better with money from a special grant.
Keeping the Field Healthy
To keep the grass field in good shape, the city now limits how often the stadium is used. Only regular football games are played there. This helps protect the field for future games.
Who Plays at the Stadium Now?
In the past, both Portsmouth High School and Notre Dame High School football teams played at the stadium. Today, Notre Dame High School still plans to use Spartan Stadium for their games.
Future Plans for the Stadium
The city once thought about selling the stadium to the Portsmouth City School District. They offered to sell it for just one dollar. However, the school district decided not to buy it. They had received money to build their own new sports complex.
Some people in the city have talked about tearing down the stadium. But many local residents want to save it. They believe it is an important historical place that should be kept.
Recent Efforts to Improve the Stadium
Spartan Municipal Stadium is seen as a key part of developing Portsmouth's riverfront area. People believe it can help bring new life to the city.
Getting Help for Renovations
In September 2017, a professor named Dr. Sean Dunne from Shawnee State University helped the stadium. He applied for a $25,000 grant from State Farm's Neighborhood Assist Program. This money was meant to help fix up the stadium.
Winning the Grant Money
In October 2017, the application made it to the final round. After ten days of online voting, the stadium project was one of 40 projects to win $25,000! This money has started the process of making the stadium better. More renovation work is expected to happen in the future.
