LaVell Edwards Stadium is the pinnacle of BYU athletics, and maybe even Provo. LaVell Edwards Stadium has gone through ups and downs, building changes, and even name changes.
1960’s
LaVell Edwards Stadium, formerly known as Cougar Stadium, was built/opened on October 2nd, 1964. The stadium was a massive upgrade from the small, 5,000 seat stadium with the same name, to a 28,000 seat stadium. Cougar stadium was soon upgraded to be able to hold 35,000 spectators, then soon changed up to 45,000 and was stuck at that number for many years. Including the football field, a track surrounding the field was later removed.
1970’s
In the stadium itself, not much happened to the seating amount, look, or name. The only main change was the Cougars’ team itself who only got better in the standings.
1980’s
In the ’80s, the changes to the stadium were much more impactful than any other decade, except for the upgrade to the new stadium. In 82’ The stadium went under MANY wanted, and big changes such as adding stands to the north and south end zones, lowering the field eight feet, and removing the track surrounding the field (home to the 1967 and 1975 NCAA Track and Field Championships). The stadium expansion increased the seating amount to over 65,000. The crowd of 64,253 that gathered for BYU’s first game in the expanded stadium on September 25, 1982, was reported at the time as “the largest gathering ever in Utah history.” Not to mention the cougar’s national championship win, and winning the first Holiday Bowl.
1990’s
The Cougars “Cougar Stadium” went through no changes, similar to the 70’s decade.
2000s-2020s
The stadium was renamed with the retirement of BYU LEGENDARY head football coach LaVell Edwards after the 2000 season. In 2003, BYU added a luxury “Club Seating” area to the east stands, taking the capacity of Edwards Stadium to 64,045. In 2010 and 2011 BYU created additional wheelchair access inside the stadium, which reduced the overall capacity to 63,725 in 2010 and 63,470 in 2011.
The Cougars Field
The field itself is one of the most iconic pieces of BYU history. The field held miracles, comebacks, fans rushing the field, and upsets. The field itself is well kept and is covered with a sand-based natural turf capable of draining eight inches of rain per hour. The well-kept grass field is consistently deemed one of the best in the country and constantly had a nice paint job. The field has gone through a few color and design changes but has stayed mostly static throughout its history.
Extra Additions
The Stadium has had many extra little additions such as the Cougar room and the Video Scoreboard
The Cougar Club Room, which is a common meeting place for Cougar Club members, is located in LaVell Edwards Stadium, near the northwest side of the stadium, The room is used for pre and post-game activities as well as for meetings and banquets during the year.
The video board has gone through 3 major changes, The introduction of the scoreboard, the revamp in 2012, and a new remodel in 2021 which is still being worked on. The two scoreboards are located along the north and south endzones, with thinner, and longer video boards along the east, north, and south sides.
The Press Box
The LaVell Edwards Stadium press box has been named the “Provo Marriott” by the media who cover BYU football. Rising over 10 stories high, the four-level press box is located on the west side of the stadium and runs the entire length of the stands. The little area is visible from inside, and outside the stadium.
In 1982, 1988, and 1997 the Football Writers Association of America cited BYU for its “outstanding press box working area.”
Levels one and two of the press box contain 42 private lodges, each one equipped with 12 padded chairs, a television, radio, telephone, refrigerator, sink, and game programs. The BYU President’s Box, which includes 163 padded chairs, five television sets, and a buffet area, is also located on the first floor.
Level three is reserved for the print and electronic media along with all the game operators. The statistics, public address, sound, and scoreboard controls are all located on the third level. Approximately 300 people work on the third level during games. Level four is primarily used for television game filming.
Other Events
Other than the BYU football games held there, LaVell Edwards Stadium is occasionally home to the “Stadium Of Fire” a fourth of July event.
Sources: BYU Cougars facility
