Beirne Stadium is a stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.[1] It is the home stadium for the Bryant University college football and men's and women's soccer and lacrosse programs. Beirne Stadium also hosts USL Championship club Rhode Island FC during their inaugural 2024 season. The stadium holds 4,400 people and was built in 1999. It was renamed from Bulldog Stadium on September 24, 2016. It has also hosted numerous events for Rhode Island high school state championships.
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Bulldog Stadium (1999–2016) |
|---|---|
| Location | Smithfield, Rhode Island |
| Coordinates | 41°55′27.44″N 71°32′18.87″W / 41.9242889°N 71.5385750°W |
| Owner | Bryant University |
| Operator | Bryant University |
| Capacity | 4,400 |
| Surface | Artificial Turf |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1998 |
| Opened | September 1998 |
| Tenants | |
| Bryant Bulldogs (NCAA) (1999–present) Rhode Island FC (USLC) (2024) | |
The centerpiece of Bryant University's athletic facilities, Beirne Stadium opened in 1999 as Bulldog Stadium to coincide with the varsity debut of Bryant football. On September 24, 2016, it was renamed as part of the David M. '85 and Terry Beirne Stadium Complex.
The facility received upgrades for the 2018 season that include a new FieldTurf playing surface and permanent lighting banks, making Beirne Stadium the first of the three NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) stadiums in Rhode Island with permanent lights. The Bryant men's and women's lacrosse programs moved full-time from the Bryant Track & Turf Complex to Beirne Stadium for the 2019 season.
With a seating capacity of 4,400, Beirne Stadium utilizes a design that is usually reserved for larger stadiums, ensuring excellent sight lines and maximum comfort for spectators.[2] A 3,200-seat permanent bleacher comprises the backdrop for the home side of the field, while 1,200 additional seats are available on the visitor's side. Three hundred seats in the stadium are equipped with backs and arm rests. The stadium also has its own athletic training center, office space and public rest rooms.
In 2007, the Bulldogs hosted their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II National Football Championship versus West Chester. In the 2008–09 school year Bryant University Athletics became a Division I sports program. They belong to the America East for most sports, as well as the Big South for football, and Southland Conference for golf and tennis as of the 2022-23 school year.
Rhode Island FC of the USL Championship play their inaugural 2024 season at Beirne Stadium as construction of their stadium at Tidewater Landing is still ongoing.[3] On December 14, 2023, RIFC announced that they had added an additional 250 seats to the East Side Field Seats and the West Bleachers, bringing the total match-day capacity to 5,252, with an additional statement that that club had season ticket members representing all 39 of Rhode Island’s cities and towns.[4]
Attendance records
edit| Rank | Attendance | Date | Game Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8,364 | October 17, 2015 | Bryant 38, Duquesne 17 |
| 2 | 7,532 | September 23, 2017 | Bryant 45, Fordham 40 |
| 3 | 6,432 | September 2, 2017 | Bryant 49, Merrimack 41 |
| 4 | 5,908 | October 24, 2015 | Bryant 26, Saint Francis 24 |
| 5 | 5,630 | October 18, 2008 | Bryant 20, Robert Morris 7 |
| 6 | 5,530 | September 13, 2008 | Bryant 20, Merrimack 7 |
| 7 | 5,434 | October 13, 2007 | 25 Bryant 34, Stonehill 6 |
| 8 | 5,252 | March 16, 2024 | RIFC 1, New Mexico United 1 |
| 5,252 | August 10, 2024 | RIFC 3, Hartford Athletic 0 | |
| 9 | 5,234 | November 18, 2006 | 25 Bryant 29, 25 West Chester |
| 10 | 5,113 | September 4, 2010 | Bryant 44, Fordham 30 |
| 11 | 5,104 | November 1, 2008 | Bryant 24, Duquesne 10 |
| 12 | 4,969 | September 1, 2018 | Bryant 41, New Haven 31 |
| 13 | 4,914 | August 10, 2024 | RIFC 0, Louisville City 0 |
| 14 | 4,890 | October 25, 2014 | Bryant 42, Robert Morris 9 |
| 15 | 4,854 | September 16, 2006 | Bryant 34, Merrimack 7 |
| 16 | 4,823 | September 23, 2000 | Bryant 49, Assumption 13 |
| 17 | 4,820 | September 24, 2005 | Bryant 20, Pace 19 |
| 18 | 4,817 | August 31, 2013 | Bryant 17, Holy Cross 16 |
| 4,817 | October 2, 1999 | Bryant 31, Mount Ida 20 | |
| 19 | 4,748 | November 10, 2007 | Bryant 29, Bentley 3 |
| 20 | 4,728 | July 5, 2024 | RIFC 3, Indy Eleven 3 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bulldog Stadium, Smithfield, R.I." bryantbulldogs.com. Retrieved 2017-08-01.
- ^ Duff, Dale (September 13, 2014). "Bears Back To Work Vs Bryant". WEZQ. Bangor. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- ^ "Rhode Island FC Announces Partnership with Bryant University for 2024 Season". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ "Rhode Island FC Adds 250 Seats to Beirne Stadium Set Up Ahead of 2024 Season". Rhodeislandfc.com. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.