Carnie Smith Stadium
Encyclopedia
Carnie Smith Stadium is the football stadium for Pittsburg State University
in Pittsburg, Kansas
. The stadium is nicknamed "The Jungle" (after the school's mascot, the gorilla), or "The Pitt."
Built in 1923, the stadium was originally named for the college's first president, William Aaron Brandenburg. In 1987, it was renamed for Carnie Smith
who led the school to NAIA National Football Championships in 1957 and 1961. The school extensively renovated the stadium in 2000 ($5.8 million overhaul), in 2006 ($2.5 million renovation to the west end, including the addition of eight luxury box
es, and in 2008 ($1.7 million addition of a video board, the largest in NCAA Division II).
Average attendance at football games in the stadium since 2000 has been around 7,800. A 2001 game against Northwest Missouri State University
drew a record attendance of 11,862, prompting Pittsburg State to play future games at Arrowhead Stadium
in Kansas City with more than 26,000 attending a game in 2002, a Division II record.
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University, also called Pitt State or PSU, is a public university with approximately 7,100 students located in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. A large percentage of the student population consists of residents within the Pittsburg region; the gender proportion is relatively equal...
in Pittsburg, Kansas
Pittsburg, Kansas
Pittsburg is a city in Crawford County, in southeastern Kansas, United States. It is the most populous city in Crawford County and in southeastern Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,233.-History:...
. The stadium is nicknamed "The Jungle" (after the school's mascot, the gorilla), or "The Pitt."
Built in 1923, the stadium was originally named for the college's first president, William Aaron Brandenburg. In 1987, it was renamed for Carnie Smith
Carnie Smith
Carnie H. Smith was an American football player and coach in the United States. His teams were declared the NAIA National Football Champions in 1957 and 1961.-Coaching career:...
who led the school to NAIA National Football Championships in 1957 and 1961. The school extensively renovated the stadium in 2000 ($5.8 million overhaul), in 2006 ($2.5 million renovation to the west end, including the addition of eight luxury box
Luxury box
A Luxury box is a special seating section located within stadiums, arenas and other sporting and entertainment venues. They are typically located in the midsection of a stadium grandstand, usually providing the best views of the event...
es, and in 2008 ($1.7 million addition of a video board, the largest in NCAA Division II).
Average attendance at football games in the stadium since 2000 has been around 7,800. A 2001 game against Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
drew a record attendance of 11,862, prompting Pittsburg State to play future games at Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs....
in Kansas City with more than 26,000 attending a game in 2002, a Division II record.