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You can find Nippert Stadium tightly wedged in amongst other buildings on the
University of Cincinnati campus, but few know that it is the fifth oldest college football
venue on the country, and has been around in some form since football was played on
these grounds beginning in 1902.
With the help of local corporate giant Procter and Gamble, the stadium itself was
completed in the 1924 season, and subsequent renovations have brought the current
capacity up to its current 35,000. The façade of the building still retains its brick
accents and wrought iron gate charm.
In addition to being the longtime home for Bearcats football, the stadium also served
as a former NFL (actually AFL) venue for two seasons. The Cincinnati Bengals played
here during the 1968 and 1969 seasons while their permanent home, Riverfront
Stadium, was under construction.
One of the cool game day traditions here involves the Cincinnati marching bands. Up
in one end zone, the band assembles while a path is created for them amongst the
fans in the end zone bleachers. Then on cue, the band members charge down the
stadium steps and onto the field. It sort of reminded us of the players running down
onto the field from the stands over at Clemson.
Our game saw Cincinnati survive a scare from another ranked team, Fresno State,
which lost to the Bearcats 28-20. Fresno State ran the ball down Cincinnati’s throats
all afternoon long, but could not seal the deal with a tying touchdown late, despite
getting the ball back with almost 4 minutes to play.
Lastly, check out the gleaming Fifth Third Arena right next door, a 13,000 seat
basketball arena that is the biennial home to the Area’s “Crosstown Shootout” pitting
local basketball teams Cincinnati and Xavier in their heated rivalry.
University of Cincinnati campus, but few know that it is the fifth oldest college football
venue on the country, and has been around in some form since football was played on
these grounds beginning in 1902.
With the help of local corporate giant Procter and Gamble, the stadium itself was
completed in the 1924 season, and subsequent renovations have brought the current
capacity up to its current 35,000. The façade of the building still retains its brick
accents and wrought iron gate charm.
In addition to being the longtime home for Bearcats football, the stadium also served
as a former NFL (actually AFL) venue for two seasons. The Cincinnati Bengals played
here during the 1968 and 1969 seasons while their permanent home, Riverfront
Stadium, was under construction.
One of the cool game day traditions here involves the Cincinnati marching bands. Up
in one end zone, the band assembles while a path is created for them amongst the
fans in the end zone bleachers. Then on cue, the band members charge down the
stadium steps and onto the field. It sort of reminded us of the players running down
onto the field from the stands over at Clemson.
Our game saw Cincinnati survive a scare from another ranked team, Fresno State,
which lost to the Bearcats 28-20. Fresno State ran the ball down Cincinnati’s throats
all afternoon long, but could not seal the deal with a tying touchdown late, despite
getting the ball back with almost 4 minutes to play.
Lastly, check out the gleaming Fifth Third Arena right next door, a 13,000 seat
basketball arena that is the biennial home to the Area’s “Crosstown Shootout” pitting
local basketball teams Cincinnati and Xavier in their heated rivalry.
NIPPERT
STADIUM
Cincinnati,
Ohio
September
25, 2009
Fresno State
at
Cincinnati
STADIUM
Cincinnati,
Ohio
September
25, 2009
Fresno State
at
Cincinnati
| Cincinnati, Ohio |
Nippert Stadium
