Scott Stadium: A Timeline of growth
1974 – New aluminum seating is installed, alongside an Astroturf playing surface. The facility’s brickwork is also restored.
1980 – the stadium’s upper decks open, adding 12,000 additional seats. A new press box-named in memory of longtime UVA athletic director Captain Norton Pritchett-and a President’s box are also constructed.
Oct. 9, 1982 – UVA plays its first night game at Scott Stadium against defending national champion Clemson, utilizing portable lights.
1983 – A permanent lighting system is installed before the start of the season.
1985 – Bryant Hall,a dining and locker room facility located in the south end zone,opens. The building is named in honor of J.C. Herbert Bryant, a 1932 Virginia graduate and a principal benefactor of the structure.
Nov. 3, 1990 – A stadium-record crowd of 49,700 attends as No. 1 Virginia faces No. 16 Georgia Tech in a nationally televised game. Georgia Tech wins 41-38.
Sept. 2, 1995 – Virginia dedicates its new natural grass playing field – David A. Harrison III Field – at the first home game of the season against William & Mary. The field is named after David A. Harrison III of Hopewell, Va., who pledged $5 million to support the UVA football program. harrison Field replaces the artificial turf first installed in 1974.
Nov. 2, 1995 – Virginia hosts Florida State in the first-ever Thursday night game in Charlottesville. Playing before a sell-out crowd and a national television audience, the Cavaliers defeat the second-ranked Seminoles 33-28. Florida State becomes the highest-ranked team to ever fall to the Cavaliers.
June 14, 1997 – UVA alumnus and former Cavalier football player Carl W. Smith pledges $25 million to his alma mater, representing the largest single monetary gift in school history at that time.$23 million of Smith’s gift will fund the expansion and enhancement of Scott Stadium, ultimately increasing its seating capacity to 61,500 by the year 2000.
Sept. 12, 1998 – The ‘Hoo Vision videoboard debuts for the Maryland game, located in the north end of the stadium. In conjunction with this project, the north end hillside seating area is moved 30 feet closer to the playing field.
Sept.