UTC RAVE Alert

A Beautiful Concrete Stadium

Chamberlain Field was home field to the Mocs football team for nearly 90 years from 1908 to 1997. Originally, the field was comprised of wooden stands that were razed to create a "a beautiful concrete stadium with an exterior of brick and stone in harmony with the other buildings on the campus" in 1927. South Stadium housed more than a football field, the building also included a cafeteria and classrooms. In 2011, South Stadium was finally deconstructed, but the memories will are preserved in Chamberlain Pavilion, which was constructed of the entrance sign and bricks from the original stadium.

This stadium is a living monument of Chattanooga's appreciation of her athletic teams, and a conscious reminder of her faith in them.

Junior Class of the University of Chattanooga, Moccasin, 1928

Baseball games were among the many events held on Chamberlain Field before the first football stadium was constructed on the site in 1908.

Baseball games were among the many events held on Chamberlain Field before the first football stadium was constructed on the site in 1908.

Chamberlain Field, circa 1900. Note that Old Main, the first building on campus, is visible in the background.

By 1922, the "old stands became so utterly unable to accommodate the crowds" that it was evident the University of Chattanooga needed a new stadium. Led by the local Kiwanis Club, a fundraising campaign secured $62,500 in pledges by March 1927 and construction began.

By 1922, the "old stands became so utterly unable to accommodate the crowds" that it was evident the University of Chattanooga needed a new stadium. Led by the local Kiwanis Club, a fundraising campaign secured $62,500 in pledges by March 1927 and construction began.

Chamberlain field under construction, 1927.

The field was named in honor of Hiram S. Chamberlain, president of the University Board of Trustees for 25 years and Morrow Chamberlain and an active supporter of the project.

The field was named in honor of Hiram S. Chamberlain, president of the University Board of Trustees for 25 years and Morrow Chamberlain and an active supporter of the project.

Portrait of Hiram S. Chamberlain.

Although the stadium was not completely finished, it was dedicated on September 24, 1927 before the Mocs faced the football team from Vanderbilt.

Although the stadium was not completely finished, it was dedicated on September 24, 1927 before the Mocs faced the football team from Vanderbilt.

Chamberlain Field's South Stadium, 1928.

South Stadium was not just home of the Mocs football squad. In addition to providing space for classrooms and a cafeteria, the stadium also served as dormitories.

South Stadium was not just home of the Mocs football squad. In addition to providing space for classrooms and a cafeteria, the stadium also served as dormitories.

South Stadium dormitories, circa 1940.

In 1997, the Mocs relocated to Finley Stadium, where they no longer have to deal with some of Chamberlain's quirks, like sloping end zones.

In 1997, the Mocs relocated to Finley Stadium, where they no longer have to deal with some of Chamberlain's quirks, like sloping end zones.

Mocs football game, 1975.

Although the stadium has been razed, the entrance is preserved in Chamberlain Pavilion.

Although the stadium has been razed, the entrance is preserved in Chamberlain Pavilion.

Entrance to Chamberlain Field, 1930.

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