Doyt Perry Stadium

Doyt L. Perry Stadium is the home football stadium for [Bowling Green State University]. It was built in 1966, and is named for former BGSU football coach [Doyt Perry]. It's current capacity is listed at 23,724.

History
Built in 1966 for approximately $3 million as a replacement for the 43-year-old University Stadium, Perry Stadium had a capacity of 23,272 until bleacher seats were installed in both end zones in 1982, raising the capacity to 30,599. The bleachers at the south end of the stadium were removed in 2003, bringing the capacity to 28,599. In 2005, the north bleachers were removed to clear the way for construction of the Sebo Athletic Center. The current capacity is listed at 23,724.

Before the wooden bleachers were added, the original plan had been to enclose the bowl with permanent seating, if demand called for it, which would have added another 20,900 seats to the stadium. The stadium was also designed to add an upper deck, if needed, of another 16,600 seats, bringing the total potential capacity of Doyt Perry Stadium to 60,000 fans.

On October 8, 1983, a huge crowd of 33,527 packed into Perry Stadium for the annual Northwest Ohio rivalry between Bowling Green and Toledo, establishing a school and MAC record for game attendance. The Falcons went on to set a season record, breaking the six-digit figure for five games with a total draw of 100,021. It marked the first time in history that Bowling Green averaged more than 20,000 fans for five home football games. That figure was topped in 1985, when Bowling Green posted a perfect record (11-0) in the regular season and clinched the MAC Championship by shutting out Toledo at Perry Stadium in November. More than 28,000 fans turned out that day, raising Bowling Green's attendance to an all-time high 112,110 an average of 22,422.

In 1994, BG fans bettered the mark of 1985 as 114,802 fans, an average of 22,960 attended the five home games. An average of over 21,000 fans per game filled Perry Stadium to watch the 2003 Falcons claim the MAC West Division title, and at the November 6, 2004 game against Western Michigan, the 3 millionth fan crossed through the Perry Stadium turnstiles. The addition of permanent stadium lights before the 2001 season, and a state-of-the-art video scoreboard before the 2004 campaign have added greatly to the game day experience in Bowling Green.

Perry Stadium is more than just a football facility. The east side of the stadium includes locker rooms, equipment and training rooms, along with the Athletic Department offices. The west side received a face-lift in 1991. A physical fitness center/weight room opened its doors to all intercollegiate athletic teams in the summer of 1988.

Also situated on the west side of Perry Stadium are the Falcon Club offices and clubhouse, the men's and women's soccer and track and cross country offices as well as maintenance and storage areas.

Sitting atop the press box on the west side of the stadium is the plush Stadium Club. Now in its 20th year of operation the Stadium Club's 106 theatre-type seats, which are all sold, provide loyal BGSU fans with the best view of the game. The President's Box, located at the top of the east side of the stadium, provides luxury seating for Univeristy President Sidney Ribeau, his guests, and other supporters of Falcon football.

The construction of elevators on both sides of the stadium, completed in early 1998, has made the stadium more accessible for all fans. Renovations to all boxes on both sides and the stadium club have taken place over the last few years, making for a more "fan-friendly" atmosphere. Bowling Green won the first game ever played in Perry Stadium, defeating Dayton, 13-0, on October 1, 1966. Since that time, the Falcons have won over 67 percent of their home games compiling a 133-61-6 record in the 200 games played at Perry Stadium.

Perry Stadium is named in honor of the man who led Bowling Green to a 77-11-5 record in his 10 years as the head coach of the Falcons. [Doyt Perry] was simply one of the greatest football coaches of his day. His .855 winning percentage over 10 seasons in the 1950s and 1960s remains one of the highest in football history. In fact, Perry is fifth all-time behind Bob Reade (Augustana), Knute Rockne (Notre Dame), Frank Leahy (Notre Dame) and Larry Kehres (Mount Union) in winning percentage among coaches with at least 10 years of service on the collegiate level. Perry served as the BGSU athletic director for seven years (1965-71) after stepping down as football coach.

(Taken, from the 2003 BG Football Media Guide, with some factual updating.)