Renovation of Fawcett Stadium Press Box set to begin

Work on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s recently announced $3.2 million project to improve its Enshrinement Complex by replacing the press box at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium is about to begin. 

Click on image above to see a diagram of the new press box (PDF 4.15 MB).

The demolition of the existing press box will begin in early December.  Erection of the steel structure for the new press box will start in January  2009.  The shell of the structure will be completed early April with the interior to be completed in June in time for the International Federation of American Football World Championship Games.

 “The new press box will provide adequate space and the modern technology required for the national media coverage of the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony and the NFL/Hall of Fame Game,” Hall of Fame President/Executive Director Steve Perry stated shortly after the announcement of the project this fall.  

“Having the annual Enshrinement Ceremony and NFL/Hall of Fame Game in Fawcett Stadium, right next door to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is a very important part of what makes the entire Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival so spectacular,” he continued.

The new press box will feature two enclosed viewing floors with tiered, two-level seating and full-height windows spanning from the 24-yard line to the 24-yard line.  Key Features include:  ADA compliant access; restrooms; elevator; heating & cooling systems; equipment storage space; updated technology for television and radio broadcasts, instant replay, game/event production, coaches’ communication system; coaches’ booths; production booth; and a covered roof area for film crews and VIP/hospitality area.

Fawcett Stadium has a rich history and is widely regarded as the #1 high school football stadium in the country and it is a vitally important asset to this region.  The 22,000-seat stadium opened in 1938.  The first touchdown scored in the stadium was by Canton McKinley High School’s star fullback and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Marion Motley.  Over the years, Fawcett Stadium has been the site of many legendary and historic football games between local rivals and contenders for the state of Ohio championship crown.

Fawcett Stadium is currently the home field for the McKinley High School Bulldogs, Timken High School Trojans, Malone University Pioneers and Walsh University Cavaliers.  Fawcett Stadium also hosts many other marquee events that are televised regionally, nationally and internationally, including the annual Kirk Herbstriet Varsity Series games for the nation’s top high school teams and the annual Ohio High School Athletic Association state championship games. 

In the summer of 2009, Fawcett Stadium will host the International Federation of American Football’s worldwide championship games for high school football players from eight countries, including Canada, Germany, Mexico, Japan and the USA.  At the professional football level, Fawcett Stadium hosts the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony and the NFL/Hall of Fame Game.