Haven’t you heard the roar of the crowd echoing from William H. Greene Stadium? This stadium is more than just a place for sports. It is a landmark on the campus of Howard University.
William H. Greene Stadium opened its doors in 1926. Originally, it was simply called Howard Stadium. For many years, it was the home of Howard Bison football. In 1986, the stadium was renamed. It honored William H. Greene. He was a doctor and a generous supporter of Howard University.
Before the stadium was built, this area was a middle-class African-American neighborhood. Many Howard University faculty and staff lived here.
The first football game at Howard Stadium was on October 16, 1926. Howard played against Morehouse College. In those early days, Howard sometimes played games at Griffith Stadium. Crowds of 17000 to 20000 people were common. Griffith Stadium was demolished in 1965. After that, Howard University played most of its home games at Howard Stadium.
In 1977, Howard Stadium was renovated and expanded. It then had a seating capacity of 9000. There were plans for a new 20000-seat stadium. But they never materialized. In 1979, another plan was announced. This was for a 14 million dollar stadium and parking garage. Again, nothing happened.
In 1986, there was an even grander plan. This involved a 30000-seat domed stadium. It would be part of a Howard Plaza project. The project included an office building, retail space and apartments. This plan also failed.
Instead, Howard Stadium was renovated and renamed William H. Greene Stadium. The dedication ceremony took place on October 11, 1986. The stadium has an artificial turf surface. A track surrounds the field.
In 1990, there was a proposal to expand William H. Greene Stadium by 6000 seats. This would have brought the total to 14000. However, this expansion never happened.
William H. Greene Stadium is home to several Howard Bison teams. These include football, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse.
While the stadium has a capacity of 10000 for football games, it only has 7086 seats. Getting to Howard University can be tricky. Public transportation is not easily accessible. Parking can also be a challenge.
Despite its age and some criticisms, William H. Greene Stadium remains an important part of Howard University. It is a place where athletes compete and fans gather. It is a testament to the university’s history and its commitment to sports. It is a place where memories are made.