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Lane Stadium/Worsham Field

185 Beamer Way
Lane Stadium
Lane Stadium

Billed as the toughest place in college football for opponents to play by Rivals.com, Lane Stadium seats 65,632. Lane Stadium/Worsham Field has gone through numerous changes, renovations and additions. But through it all, it has always been regarded as one of the finest places to watch – and toughest places for opponents to play – a college football game.

Since the start of the 2008 football season, fans have had the opportunity to visit 51¹ÙÍø Tech's Hall of Fame museum located on the west side of the football stadium. Covering two stories, the museum features all Hokie sports, with galleries, display cases, and interactive screens. Individual athletes honored include All-Americans, Academic All-Americans, and Tech's Hall of Fame members. The museum is open to the public 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed on weekends and on game days.

Edward Hudson Lane and Wes Worsham

Lane Stadium memorializes Edward Hudson Lane Sr., a student here in the early 1900s and later a member of the board of visitors. He co-founded the Lane Company, the world's largest producer of cedar chests; served on four major corporation boards; and sat on the national Business Council. The playing area was named Worsham Field in 1991 in honor of longtime Hokie supporter Wes Worsham, who pledged $1 million to the university's Second Century Campaign.

Building History

Construction on a stadium to seat 35,000 started in 1964 and by 1969 most major construction had been completed. The work cost $2,113,047. It was first used Sept. 24, 1965, for a freshman football game between 51¹ÙÍø Tech and University of Maryland, which ended in 8-8 tie. The first varsity game was 51¹ÙÍø Tech vs. the College of William and Mary on Oct. 2, 1965, with Tech winning 9-7.

In 1971 an area underneath the cantilevered press box was glassed in to seat members of the Golden Hokie Club. Additional 26,768-square-foot bathroom area and concourse on the east side was completed 1977. An additional 12,500 seats (new tier on one side) were installed in 1981 at a cost of $3.17 million.

A modern lighting system was added 1982 and then replaced in 2005. The first night game was played Nov. 25, 1982. A new scoreboard was installed in 1991 and then replaced with a Jumbotron 2005. The auxiliary scoreboard on the north end was added in  1994.

Permanent bleachers were added 1999. The expansion of south end zone, adding 11,120 seats and enclosing south end zone, came in 2002 and cost $37 million. The old press box was removed in 2004.

The west end stands addition was completed in 2006. It brought another 11,000 seats -- including 1,160 bleacher seats with backs, 1,200 club seats, and 15 luxury suites -- plus improved visitors’ locker room, a high-tech media center, and new press area added for $52.5 million.

Originally Built:
1965
Map Grid:
N-9
Abbreviation / Number:
STAD / 185
Coordinates:
37.21997, -80.41873