Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
 | |
| Location |
4301 Broadway Street San Antonio, Texas 78209 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°28′02.9″N 98°28′12″W / 29.467472°N 98.47000°WCoordinates: 29°28′02.9″N 98°28′12″W / 29.467472°N 98.47000°W |
| Owner | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Operator | University of the Incarnate Word |
| Capacity |
3,000 (2008-2009) 6,000 (2010-present) |
| Record attendance |
6,235 August 29, 2009 vs. Monterrey Tech |
| Surface | Hellas Matrix Turf[1] |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | January 17, 2008[2] |
| Opened | September 1, 2008 |
| Expanded | 2010 (Added 3,000 seats to present 6,000 capacity)[3] |
| Tenants | |
| University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals (NCAA) | |
Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium is a stadium in San Antonio, Texas. It is used for the men's and women's soccer teams, track and field, and American football as the home field of the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals football team. The stadium currently seats 6,000 people. It is named after Tom Benson and his wife Gayle. Record stadium attendance of 6,235 was recorded in a game vs Monterrey Tech, Mexico on August 29, 2009.
History
Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium officially opened on campus on September 1, 2008. A special grand opening ceremony was held when the Bensons, along with more than 2,000 Cardinals fans and athletes declared the facility ready for action. Benson and his family long have been ardent supporters of Incarnate Word and provided the necessary funds to start up the University's football program. A San Antonian himself, Benson is the owner of professional football's New Orleans Saints.
Benson Stadium now has permanent seating for 6,000 spectators after the 2010 addition of the north bleachers. Atop the original south seating areas are six suites while the north side stands have two press boxes for media and game operations, including a permanent home for KUIW Internet Radio and UIWTV. The playing area itself is artificial, Hellas Matrix.
An eight-lane, Sport Track 300 surface track surrounds the field and is an all-weather surface in nature. Accompanying the track are also three jumping pits. Located behind the west endzone is the stadium's Daktronics scoreboard which has a 20 feet by 10 feet video screen where Cardinals fans get the latest information about their team as well as a viewing of the game itself.
Adjoining the football field is the Benson Fieldhouse. A 16,000 square foot facility housing a weight room, athletic training facility, locker rooms, team meeting areas and coaches offices.