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Show j FOOTBALL TO LEAVE ILLINOIS FIELD FOREVER i f . . I izCr if I :- - ... Z ' . . -- - . " : i i 3 f X- c - 1 . - ! P " u S fi 5 i. ! " . 1 ; 1 ! --v . : t ' ' . . ' t ... v.s-sjov , . - -"- ; : j After the ButJer game, Oct. 13, Illinois field will pass out of existence as far as lootbal is concerned. All of me 1 home games after that day will be played in the new Memorial stadium. A glimpse into the history of the field is ; timely. In ISSS baseball was played in the northeast corner of the present gridiron. In 1S01 the first field became a 1 realization. The northern boundary of the field was 150 feet south of University avenue, the southern boundary, near the big tree north of the present gridiron. The foundation of the held was the stones of the first building; j these stones were covered by six inches of dirt. The growing need for a grandstand led the students to hold a drive for funds, very much like the students did on the new stadium. The capacity of the stands when completed w as StW. Money for First Cinder Track. W. B. MeKinley donated money for Illinois' first cinder track. Permission was granted a committee, of which George Huff was a member, to use cinders from the water plant. These were the cinders on which later many track j stars of the country were to participate. The northern boundary of the field was later extended to University avenue. In lfX5 the conditions became so crowded that the field was extended south to Springfield avenue. The first football bleachers were built but still the crowded conditions existed and the capacity was increased. Capacity of Bleachers. In 1914 the capacity of the bleachers was 4.000. Since that time the stands have been enlarged twice and in 1022, with the addition of temporary stands, 20,000 could be taken care of. And still at the big games like Iowa last i year, thousands sought tickets unsuccessfully. When the football team moves to the stadium Nov. 3, it is expected i to take care of all patrons. As soon as the Butler game is over the moving of the west bleachers to the baseball diamond cill be begun. J This will allow the accommodation of nearly S.000 people more. |