JPS Field at Malone Stadium

JPS Field at Malone Stadium is a stadium in Monroe, Louisiana, United States, on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. It is primarily used for football and is the home field of the ULM Warhawks. The stadium, named for former coach James L. Malone, opened in 1978 and has a seating capacity of 27,617 people. The field is named JPS Field, for a local company, JPS Aviation/JPS Equipment Rental. The field was named after the company after they agreed to fund installation of a new FieldTurf playing surface in 2014.

JPS Field at Malone Stadium

The Hawk
The exterior of Malone Stadium
JPS Field at Malone Stadium Location in Louisiana Show map of Louisiana JPS Field at Malone Stadium Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Full name	JPS Field at Malone Stadium
Location	514 Warhawk Way Monroe, Louisiana 71203
Coordinates	32°31′51″N 92°3′57″W
Owner	University of Louisiana at Monroe
Operator	University of Louisiana at Monroe
Capacity	27,617 (2014–present)
Record attendance	31,175 (September 21, 2012 vs. Baylor)
Surface	FieldTurf
Construction
Broke ground	1977
Opened	September 16, 1978
Renovated	2008, 2014
Construction cost	$2.5 million
Architect	Hugh G. Parker, Jr. Architects (renovations)
Tenants
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football (1978–present)

JPS Field at Malone Stadium

History

Because Northeast Louisiana University's previous stadium could hold just over 8,000 spectators, the late Mayor W. L. "Jack" Howard pushed for construction of a new football stadium.[1] Malone Stadium, named after the winningest coach in school history James L. Malone, opened on September 16, 1978, with a capacity of 20,000, with the then-Northeast Louisiana Indians beat Arkansas State, 21–13.

It is located across Bayou Desiard from the main campus, the center of the school's athletic facilities. The field runs roughly north-northeast, with an imbalanced grandstand, the west stands being the larger stands. The lower west level is a solid enclosed structure, with the ULM Athletic Training Center enclosed, and the upper level extends much higher, with the press box and luxury boxes located on top. The east side is also decked, with a short first deck wrapping around almost from goalpost to goalpost and another short steel-supported upper deck running the length of the field.

Renovations

Both sides of seating were extended into each end zone in 1983, increasing the capacity to 23,277. The press box was enlarged in 1991, and capacity decreased to 22,077. In 1993, 8,350 seats were added to the stadium, increasing capacity to its current figure of 30,427.

Interior of Malone Stadium

In 2007, ULM excavated the natural grass from Malone Stadium to install ProPlay artificial turf.[2]

In 2011, the university installed a new scoreboard with a HD video display measuring 23 feet high by 48 feet wide (1,104 square feet) and flanked by two low definition video panels for advertisements measuring 16 feet (4.9 m) high by 14 feet (4.3 m) wide.[3] Also, a new sound system was installed in the upper corners of the scoreboard.

A record crowd of 31,175 was reached on September 21, 2012 against the Baylor Bears at the 2012 home opener.

In 2014, JPS Aviation/JPS Equipment Rental paid $450,000 to replace the artificial turf with new FieldTurf and for the field to be named JPS Field at Malone Stadium for the next eight seasons.[4]

A new field house facility was completed in August 2016 at a cost of $4.1 million. The 11,750-square-foot (1,092 m²) building is located in the north end zone, attached to the west grandstand. It features a hall of fame area, locker room, coaches’ offices, and patios overlooking the field.[5]

Top 10 Largest Crowds

The largest crowd to see a Warhawk football game in Malone Stadium was 31,175 on September 21, 2012, when the Warhawks hosted Baylor University.

Rank	Date	Attendance	Opponent	Result
1	September 21, 2012	31,175	Baylor	L, 42–47
2	November 20, 2007	30,101	Grambling State	W, 28–14
3	October 10, 1998	28,725	Louisiana Tech	L, 14–44
4	August 31, 2019	28,327	Grambling State	W, 31-9
5	September 10, 2011	26,532	Grambling State	W, 35–7
6	September 7, 1996	24,842	Minnesota	L, 3–30
7	September 3, 2016	24,718	Southern	W, 38–21
8	October 9, 1982	23,900	Louisiana Tech	L, 10–17
9	September 7, 2013	23,600	Grambling State	W, 48–10
10	November 3, 1984	23,452	Louisiana Tech	W, 12–10

See also

• List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums

References

1. "John Underwood, "New Boys On The Block: From the day he's hired, a college football coach has two things in common with his predecessor—a belief he can do the job, a good chance he won't. Meet four fresh optimists," September 6, 1976". si.com. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
2. "Work begins on field at Malone Stadium". April 30, 2007. Retrieved on October 12, 2009.
3. University of Louisiana at Monroe to Upgrade with Daktronics LED Technology
4. http://www.ulmwarhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209392972
5. Hunsucker, Adam (August 2, 2016). "ULM unveils much-anticipated football facility". The News-Star. Retrieved May 9, 2017.

External links

• JPS Field at Malone Stadium - ULMAthletics.com

Events and tenants
Preceded by Brown Stadium	Home of the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football 1978-present	Succeeded by current