OU : Football Stadium Is Undamaged, Despite Earthquake

A 4.3 magnitude earthquake rattled the state of Oklahoma Wednesday, and the quake's epicenter was less than six miles from the University of Oklahoma.

Saturday, OU is set to host the Iowa State Cyclones in Big 12 football action, and because of the proximity of the earthquake, many are concerned about Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

According to University of Oklahoma Senior Associate Athletics Director Kenny Mossman, the stadium was built to withstand nature and even with Wednesdays reported earthquake, all structural elements remain undamaged and are structurally sound for Saturday's game.

Memorial Stadium was opened in 1923 and the official capacity is listed at 82,112 although a crowd of 85,646 was reported on Nov. 22, 2008 when the Sooners routed Texas Tech 65-21.

Mossman said the stadium has been used as a tornado shelter for Norman residents in the past, and although the lights sometimes shake in high winds, the structure remains undamaged.

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is the largest sports arena in the state and ranks among the 15 largest on-campus facilities in the nation.

According to the University of Oklahoma, the first game played at the site took place Oct. 20,1923 when the Sooners beat Washington, Mo 63-7.

Stands on the east side of the stadium were added before the 1929 season, which increased the seating capacity to 32,000, where it stood for 20 years.

Later in 1949, OU president George L. Cross pushed for expansion and the result was a six-foot lowering of the old playing surface and the elimination of a running track that surrounded the playing area. The changes produced 7,000 new ringside seats and brought capacity to 55,000.

In 1957, green grandstand bleachers were added to the south end of the field, enabling the stadium to hold 61,836 fans.

Eighteen years later came the addition of the upper deck and new press box then before the 1980 season, the old green bleachers were replaced with the new south end zone facility which brought the stadium capacity to 75,004.

For the latest earthquake information visit News9.com and football fans be sure to check out Oklahoma Sports OKC Sports Director Dean Blevins blog about the Sooners game against Iowa State.