The expansion of Paulson Football Stadium added 6,600 seats, bringing capacity to 25,000 and preparing the Eagles for their move to the Sun Belt Conference and the Football Bowl Subdivision. Named for the late Allen E. Paulson, who donated more than $1 million toward construction of the facility in 1984, the stadium features a prescription athletic turf playing field that accommodates soccer and football. It also provides special climate-controlled VIP boxes with luxurious interiors, private restrooms and food service areas. Modifications to the upper portion of the lower bowl included a new premium seating area and a new cross-aisle that serves as a “student alley.” Designed with the future in mind, the last three rows of pre-cast mid-deck seating section and the pre-cast wall can be removed and replaced with suite seating treads. The design also provides for a cooling effect on the seats located underneath the deck.
A unique and innovative structural system known as “rocking chair” bents provides a visually exciting and useful design feature. Made of three pre-cast pieces, the design allowed for quick construction. The bents are arranged in pairs and limited the unique pieces of precast seating sections required. This became the “graphic” of the stadium.
