As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening of Perkins Stadium, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Intercollegiate Athletics presents the "Perkins Stadium at 50" series Presented by UW Credit Union, a look at some of the most memorable moments and games in the history of the stadium.
Our second Perkins Stadium memory comes from Chuck Heinrich, Class of 1969, who was a student-athlete for the Warhawks from 1965-68.
"Coach Perkins had been working on the idea of a stadium as Hamilton Field existed from the 1910s. It was old and not a home field for the future. With an appearance by the 1966 Warhawk team in the NAIA National Championship game and a slogan developed to 'Open The Gate By '68', and even with running a football from Whitewater to Madison, with Chancellor Wyman carrying the ball the first few hundred yards, the gates didn't open as planned.
"Disappointment existed on campus by some with not knowing what to expect. Once completed, the past is remembered as history and what is now – reality. Perkins Stadium allows every Warhawk family member to be extremely proud and realize what was once a dream to Coach Perkins is what makes each home game in the fall season a special occasion."
A History of the Opening of Perkins Stadium (via UW-Whitewater news release)
The official Stadium Fund drive began on October 1, 1966, and there was serious doubt that the stadium would ever become a reality. Chairman Perkins, never feeling that the plans would fail, spent every available moment he could to see that the drive succeeded.
It was April 14, 1967, that the Board of Regents approved in principle the use of student activity fees as matching funds for gifts to the Whitewater State University Foundation for the purpose of building a stadium-type structure.
In Sept. 1967, the report on the proposed stadium construction projects for State Universities at Whitewater, Oshkosh, and Platteville were presented to the Board of Regents. After a report from the Business committee on the Board, the Stadium Resolution, No. 2990, was introduced by Milton Neshek to the Board.
A meeting was held in October in Madison to discuss the general specifications of stadium financing and a time-table for its completion. Coach Perkins continued his optimism and untiring efforts for the new stadium.
Bids for the stadium were opened on May 8, 1969, in Madison totaling $1.2 million. The Building Commission gave final approval on May 12. General contractor was Nelson, Inc., of Racine. Plumbing and heating contract went to Hunt Softner, Inc., of Janesville. Piper Electrical of Milwaukee was awarded the electrical contract.
Clearing soon began by Mann Brothers of Elkhorn in an area north of the Williams Center, the home of the Warhawk winter sports and physical education department. The site was chosen because of its natural "bowl" setting.
In order to reach the stadium drive goal of $75,000, the Whitewater Quarterback Club took over a Stadium Fund drive football game between the Warhawks and Fairmont, West Virginia, the 1967 NAIA National Champions. The game was played at Whitewater on Sept. 7, 1968, with Alan J. (Pete) Rogers as general chairman.
A check for $10,013.02 was turned over to the stadium drive by Chairman Rogers after the Fairmont game, as the Warhawks scored an impressive 16-14 come-from-behind victory over the national champions.
Money from every county in Wisconsin was received in the drive along with a payroll deduction plan for Whitewater State faculty and staff members, donations from the Whitewater community, and surrounding areas. Donations were received from 26 other states and also Hong Kong, China, and West Africa, along with the Whitewater State student drive.
Climax of the drive was the Homecoming game of 1969, when Dr. William L. Carter, President of Whitewater State, presented the final check to Board of Regent member Milton E. Neshek on October 26.
There are two buildings at the Stadium. The service building houses the varsity and visiting team locker rooms, multi-purpose and assembly room, and the rehabilitation training room. In all, there is 7,126 square feet in the service building.
In the communications center, the lower deck is the commissary and concession stands with rest rooms on each side. The communications center upper deck is the press and radio area for working media. It includes four radio booths, spotters booth, a main press area for 25 working press, presidential box, VIP booth, timer, announcer, and statistical crew boxes along with an eating area for working press and area for the sports information director. The press area is 2,400 square feet with a place reserved on the roof for both the home and visiting film crews and television stations if necessary.
