You’re standing where thunderous crowds once cheered until their voices got hoarse, where band music bounced off the bleachers, and maybe even a few hot dogs hit the ground in pure excitement! This spot was once Clyde Williams Field, the heart and soul of Cyclones football and track at Iowa State. When the grandstands first opened in 1915, they squeezed in about 5,000 fans-imagine the buzz on game day as everyone bundled up for the fall chill. Over time, the excitement grew, and so did the stadium. By 1966, it could hold a whopping 35,000 people. That’s a lot of popcorn to spill.
Originally called State Field, the stadium was renamed in 1938 to honor Clyde Williams, the beloved coach and athletic director who’d led Cyclone pride until he passed away that same year. For 60 years, legends started here-until 1975, when the action moved to Jack Trice Stadium. The old field was torn down in 1978, and nowadays, you’ll find Eaton and Martin residence halls where touchdowns once stole the spotlight. So if you hear distant cheering, don’t worry-you haven’t gone football crazy. This place simply never forgets how to throw a good game day!
