Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Timeline

Apr. 16
1930		 Construction begins on original Florida Field
Oct. 27
1930		 Construction completed on original Florida Field (capacity 21,769)…The original stadium consisted of the first 32 rows on the west, east and north sides of the current stadium
Nov. 8
1930		 Dedication of Florida Field as sellout crowd of 21,769 watches Florida vs. Alabama…The legendary Red Barber, a UF student, calls the play-by-play
Oct. 13
1934		 Florida Field dedicated to memory of servicemen who died in World War I
Sep. 24
1938		 The first night game is played at Florida Field versus Stetson
Dec. 16
1949		 Plans drawn to add 11,200 seats to west stands…Expansion completed for 1950 season, bringing total capacity, including temporary bleachers, to 40,116
Dec.
1965		 Construction starts on east-side 10,000-seat addition, bringing permanent seating to 56,164…Also, temporary bleachers moved to south end zone for total capacity of 62,800 during 1966 season
Apr.
1971		 Artificial surface installed
Aug.
1982		 Completion of south end zone, bringing capacity to 72,000…Athletic training center, skybox tower and modern press box also involved in this project
Sep. 9
1989		 Football stadium named Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field during dedication ceremonies…The stadium is named in honor of Ben Hill Griffin Jr., a life-long Gator supporter and fan who had been extremely benevolent and generous to several sectors at the University of Florida
June 30
1990		 Natural grass replaces artificial turf at Florida Field
Sep.
1991		 Construction completed on new north end zone…Capacity now stands at 83,000, making Florida Field one of the eight largest on-campus collegiate football stadiums in the nation and the largest in the state of Florida…The north end zone addition costs $17 million, but involves no state funding
Nov. 30
1991		 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the site of the largest football crowd (collegiate or professional) in state of Florida history (85,461 vs. FSU)… During the 1991 and 1992 seasons, the stadium will be the site of the 12 largest crowds in state history
Oct. 12
1991		 The official dedication of the new north end zone is held, as Florida meets Tennessee…Red Barber, who called the original dedication game in 1930, is UF's special guest of honor
End of 1991 Season Head Coach Steve Spurrier tags Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field "The Swamp"…Spurrier says, "The Swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous."
Prior to 1998 Season Florida completed a $5 million renovation of the Ben Hill Griffin Training Complex in the south endzone, making the facility one of the nation's elite
Prior to 2003 Season Construction was completed on a two-year, $50 million stadium expansion/renovation that includes the addition of 2,900 luxury club seats, expanded press level, renovated and enlarged Bull Gator Deck, enlarged President's Suite and 34 additional suites that was funded by private support from Gator Boosters and fans
Prior to 2004 Season A high-resolution video board highlights the brand new Daktronics scoreboard in the north end of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium…In addition, a state-of-the-art sound system is installed throughout the stadium…The project cost is $2 million
Feb. 2007 Construction to the Southwest area of the stadium begins…The $28 million project includes the expansion of the strength and conditioning room, a new Gator Room and renovation to the football offices…
Aug. 2008 Construction of James W. "Bill" Heavener Football Complex is completed
Aug. 2009 Construction is completed on a $5.6 million project installing Daktronics HD-16 high resolution screens to replace the old north and south end zone scoreboards.
Apr. 2011 Statues unveiled outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium honoring Florida's three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow.
Prior to 2012 Season Renovations to the West Concourse result in enhanced restroom facilities, better overall lighting, improved crowd circulation and wider concessions with more points of sale, including new food items not previously offered in the stadium.

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