Doyt Perry Stadium

Doyt L. Perry Stadium, with its 24,000 seating capacity, will celebrate its 46th year as the home of Bowling Green State University football in 2012. In 2001 permanent lighting was installed at the venue and home attendance doubled. New FieldTurf and the Sebo Athletic Center were added for the 2007 season, and the video board, originally installed in 2004, was upgraded for the 2012 season.

Built in 1966 for approximately $3 million as a replacement for the 43-year-old University Stadium, Perry Stadium had a capacity of 23,272 until bleacher seats were installed in both end zones in 1982 (those bleachers have been removed, to give way for the Sebo Athletic Center, giving BGSU the 24,000 current capacity). One of the largest and most attractive athletic facilities in the Mid-American Conference, Perry Stadium set the conference record for single-game attendance.

On Oct. 8, 1983, a huge crowd of 33,527 packed into Perry Stadium for the annual Northwest Ohio rivalry between Bowling Green and Toledo, establishing a school and MAC record for single-game attendance. The Falcons went on to set a season record, breaking the six-digit figure for five games with a total draw of 100,021. It marked the first time in history that Bowling Green averaged more than 20,000 fans for five home football games.

That figure was topped in 1985, when Bowling Green posted a perfect record (11-0) in the regular season and clinched the MAC Championship by shutting out Toledo at Perry Stadium in November. More than 28,000 fans turned out that day, raising Bowling Green’s season attendance to an average of 22,422. In 1994, BG fans bettered the mark of 1985 as 114,802 fans, an average of 22,960, attended the five home games.

In 2003, Falcon faithful attended sellout games against Northern Illinois and Toledo as ESPN broadcast three games live from the facility and brought its weekly college football show, Gameday, to Bowling Green. That year, BGSU averaged more than 21,000 per home game.

Perry Stadium is more than just a football facility. The east side of the stadium includes locker rooms, equipment and training rooms, along with the Athletic Department offices. The west side is the home of the new BGSU Golf Training Center, filled with a 1,200 square foot putting green, locker rooms and hitting bays.

Sitting atop the press box on the west side of the stadium is the plush Stadium Club. The Stadium Club’s 106 theatre-type seats provide loyal BGSU fans with the best view of the game. The President’s Box, located at the top of the east side of the stadium, provides luxury seating for the University President and her guests, along with other supporters of Falcon football.

The construction of elevators on both sides of the stadium, completed in early 1998, has made the stadium more accessible for all fans. Renovations to all boxes on both sides and the stadium club have taken place over the last few years making for a more “fan-friendly” atmosphere. Bowling Green won the first game ever played in Perry Stadium, defeating Dayton, 13-0, on Oct. 1, 1966. Since that time, the Falcons have won over 66 percent of their home games, compiling a 140-68-6 record in the 214 games played at Perry Stadium.

Longest Winning Streak
16 (1983-86)

Longest Unbeaten Streak
19 (1991-94)

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