Arend D. Lubbers Stadium

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Lubbers Stadium is one of the top Division II facilities in the nation, it was dedicated in the fall of 1979 and named in honor of the former Grand Valley State President Arend D. Lubbers. Lubbers was key in raising more than $700,000 toward the building of the stadium. Gameday at Lubbers Stadium brings a buzz of excitement and pride to the Laker football program. During the 2011 season, the stadium has seen a renovated student section with a permanent bathroom and concession building located behind. Also, the home sideline stands have been wrapped in blue acrylic for a more comfortable experience, while a new stadium sound system has been installed on top of the scoreboard. For the 2012 season, the grass field will be replaced with turf and additional rows of seating will be added around the entire field giving it a horseshoe affect that will increase capacity to approximately 10,700.

A Daktronics scoreboard with a ProStar video display board was added for the 2005 season. To accommodate the overflow crowds that have been a part of Lubbers Stadium since 2001, two seating sections were added to each end of the west side stands. The Lakers moved all of their football operations into the GVSU Football Center and the Rob Odejewski Weight Room in 2002. The design doubled the size of the former building in the north end zone by adding over 4,000 square feet. The Football Center includes a state-of-the-art locker room, equipment room, the Todd Jager training room and meeting rooms.

In recent years, permanent lighting, a new playing surface, and six executive suites have been added. The student seating area, which was moved to the south end zone in 1998, has created renewed excitement among the student body. The student section has increased in capacity to 3,505 with the new bleachers. The Laker student section is routinely filled to capacity with the overflow moving onto the hill. With the increased seating in the south end zone and the two new sections on the home side, Lubbers Stadium now has a permanent seating capacity for 8,950 fans. Designed with the future in mind, the stadium can have permanent seating added when needed, with ultimate expansion to 20,000 seats.

Grand Valley State has recorded sellouts in 31-of-the-last-35 regular season games since 2004 and 42-of-the-last-46 since 2002. The Lakers set a Lubbers Stadium and GLIAC single-game-on-campus record in 2009 as 16,467 fans watched Grand Valley State claim a 38-7 victory over Saginaw Valley State. GVSU set a GLIAC single-season attendance record in 2008 as 64,511 fans watched five Laker home games at Lubbers Stadium for an average of 12,902 per game. The Lakers ranked second in total attendance (73,639) and regular season average (12,902) among DII schools for the season. Three of the Lakers' top seven all-time single-game crowds and four of the top 13 came during the 2008 regular season. GVSU played before crowds of 14,612 (Ferris State), 14,161 (Hillsdale), 13,302 (Indianapolis), 12,405 (Michigan Tech), and 10,132 (Ashland) in five regular season dates.

Lubbers Stadium was built around the existing football field of Prescription Athletic Turf (PAT). The field, which is drained and heated by more than seven miles of tubing and electric coils, was installed in 1972, and opened in 1973. A new automatic sprinkler system was also installed in the summer of 1998.
The Lubbers Stadium press box was designed to accommodate both print and electronic media representatives. It's spacious features include a television booth, two radio booths and an open air television and film platform on the second deck.

Top 5 Lubbers Stadium Crowds

 

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