But before there was Bryant or Denny, there was the Quad. From 1893-1914, two different sites were used on the Quad. The first site was located on the southeast corner, with the field running parallel to 6th Avenue. Around the turn of the century, the field was moved 90-degrees to the west and ran parallel to University Boulevard.
In 1915, games were moved off the Quad and played on University Field, later renamed Denny Field in 1920 after the former president. The Tide played there for the next 14 years until 1928. Alabama posted a 43-2 record on that field and held opponents scoreless in 35 of those games. Denny Field was two blocks east of the current stadium, behind Little Hall. Mallet Hall and Parker-Adams Hall now stand on the north endzone of Denny Field. A parking lot covers the rest of what remains of Denny Field.
On September 28, 1929, The George Hutcheson Denny Stadium opened on the present site and was officially dedicated the following week at Homecoming ceremonies. The stadium opened with a seating capacity of 12,000. In 1937 the first expansion of the stadium took place as 6,000 seats were added to the east side that brought capacity to 18,000. In 1946, capacity grew to 31,000 following the addition of bleachers in both end zones. In 1961, the grandstands reached 61 rows and capacity grew to 43,000. A new pressbox with elevator was also added. More seating was again added in 1966 to raise capacity to 60,000.
In 1975, the stadium took on another name. The state legislature renamed the stadium Bryant-Denny Stadium in salute to Tide coach Paul William "Bear" Bryant. Bryant-Denny Stadium was exanded once again in 1998, when an upper deck with two spiral walkways was added on the west side. Capacity grew to 70,123.
The stadium received its last make-over in 1998. An east-side upper deck with spiral walkways and two levels of sky boxes were added, which gave the stadium a more semetrical appearance. Seating capacity now rose to 83,818, making it the 4th largest stadium in the SEC. A scoreboard with a jumbrotron television was another modern amenity added in the south endzone. Two new reception areas, located on the east side, were built and include rooms large enough to host receptions and pre-game meal functions. A new bank of lights, not included with the old infratsructure, were also added.
On October 23, 1999 a record crowd of 86,869 were in attendance to watch a matchup against Tennessee. At the time, it was the most to ever watch a college football game in the state of Alabama.
In March 2001, Athletic Director, Mal Moore announced future upgrades to Bryant-Denny Stadium that includes expansion of the north endzone and building of a plaza area outside the stadium. Preliminary sketches look promising and Crimson Tide fans couldn't be more excited about the future.
Always a symbol of tradition at the University of Alabama, Bryant-Denny Stadium has indeed, carried Crimson Tide Football into the new millennium.
Directions to Bryant-Denny Stadium
From Jasper, Alabama, take Highway 69 south. After crossing the Black Warrior River bridge, make a left turn onto University Boulevard. Travel east through downtown Tuscaloosa toward the center of the UA campus. Stadium will be on your right.
From Moundville, Alabama, travel north on Highway 69, which becomes I-359 at the I-59/20 interchange. At 15th Street, I-359 becomes Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard. At University Boulevard turn right and travel east through downtown Tuscaloosa toward the center of the UA campus. Stadium will be on your right.
From Fayette, Alabama, take US 43 south to US 82(McFarland Boulevard). At that intersection, make a left turn onto McFarland Boulevard. After crossing the Black Warrior River bridge, take the University Boulevard exit. Turn right onto University Boulevard and travel west toward the center of the UA campus. Stadium will be on your left.
From Mobile or Demopolis, Alabama, travel north on US 43 to I-59/20. Go east on the interstate to US 82(McFarland Boulevard) interchange. Take the exit and turn left onto McFarland Boulevard. Travel north to the University Boulevard exit. At University Boulevard turn right and travel west toward the center of the UA campus. Stadium will be on your left.
From Montgomery, Alabama, take US 82 west to Tuscaloosa. Go past the I-59/20 interchange to the University Boulevard exit. At University Boulevard turn right and travel west toward the center of the UA campus. Stadium will be on your left.
From Columbus, Mississippi, take US 82 east. After crossing the Black Warrior River bridge, take the University Boulevard exit. Turn right onto University Boulevard and travel west toward the center of the UA campus. Stadium will be on your left.
