Drake Stadium (UCLA)

For Drake Stadium at Drake University, see Drake Stadium.
Drake Stadium

Drake Stadium is an 11,700-capacity stadium in Los Angeles, California used by UCLA soccer and athletics. The track stadium was built in 1969. The stadium is named for UCLA track legend Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake, who was a student-athlete, track coach and athletic trainer for over 60 years.

There was an attempt in 1965 to build a 44,000 seat football stadium on campus, at the site where Drake Stadium eventually was built. It would have been the new home of UCLA Bruins football, the team would have moved out of the Los Angeles Coliseum. However, the proposal was blocked by influential area residents, as well as other politicians.[1][2] Although the football stadium never became a reality, there have been UCLA Bruin football scrimmage games played in the stadium.

Drake Stadium has hosted the Pacific-10 (now Pac-12) Track and Field Championships, the National AAU in 1976-77-78, the Pacific-8 Championships in 1970 and 1977 and the CIF California State Meet for high schools in 1969-71-77. The facility hosted the first-ever California-Nevada Championships on April 30-May 1, 1994. It also has hosted other student events such as concerts and graduation ceremonies.

The field at Drake Stadium is named for UCLA alumnus Frank Marshall, a film producer.

Notable athletes

References

  1. ↑ Crowe, Jerry - There goes the neighborhood: How UCLA stadium bid was scuttled. Los Angeles Times, November 16, 2009
  2. ↑ Reich, Ken - Stadium for UCLA Given Support - Architect's Study Cites Project as 'Desirable' STADIUM SUPPORT. Los Angeles Times, November 18, 1965. UCLA officials--still reportedly trying to decide whether to recommend the building of a 44,000-seat football stadium on campus--have released details of an architectural feasibility study.

Coordinates: 34°04′19″N 118°26′54″W / 34.071985°N 118.44825°W / 34.071985; -118.44825

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