Know Your Stadiums: Veterans Memorial Stadium In Troy Alabama
Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama. | encyclopediaofalabama.org
Located in Troy, Alabama, Veterans Memorial Stadium was built in 1950 at the cost of $65,000. It was originally dedicated to the Troy State Teachers College students and Pike County residents who had died in World War II. When it was built, it consisted solely of small, 5,000 seat grandstand on the west side of the running track and had been built into the natural slope of the ground.
It has since been expanded several times to it’s present capacity of 30,000.
It has been expanded several times including an addition of an upper deck in 1998 that brought the capacity up to 17,500. The most recent was completed in 2003, the season that the Trojans made the move to Division I-A (FBS). It removed the press box that cut into the upper deck that was constructed in 1998 and replaced it with chair-back seats. A larger press box with 27 luxury boxes was added behind the expanded upper deck.
They also removed the track and lowered the field with more permanent seating placed over the old berm area that was located behind the south grandstand. It is now a “flattened U” shape with the north end still open.
Additionally, they installed a large-screen endzone replay board with a then state of the art Danley Sound System in 2003.
The natural grass surface was replaced with AstroPlay synthetic grass. In 2012, they replaced it with ProGrass synthetic Turf.
The record attendance for a game was recorded on September 15, 2012 in a 30-24 loss to Mississippi State in front of 29,013. Previously the largest was recorded on September 9, 2004 when they defeated #17 ranked Missouri 24-14 in front of 26,574.
It also hosted the Blue-Gray Football Classic in 2003 after moving from the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. It had been held at the Cramton Bowl for 62 consecutive years prior to the move. It was cancelled after the 2003 game for the lack of a title sponsor.
Veteran Memorial Stadium in Troy Alabama. | Wikimedia.org
Concept art showing what Veterans Memorial Stadium might look like after a future expansion. | al.com
Jags Finish Preparation For Troy With Hurricane Watches In Place
The Jaguars finished their preparation for Troy in full pads on Thursday. It was another pleasing practice according to head coach Joey Jones.
Both schools use two quarterbacks, which can hamper preparation for an opponent, but both schools are used to it as they both utilize similar systems.
Coach Jones believes the emotion of a rivalry game should fade quickly when the game kicks off on Saturday. Last season the game was “chippy” throughout the whole game with several penalties on both sides of the ball.
Currently the game is still on schedule as the gulf coast is under a hurricane watch due to Tropical Storm Karen approaching in the Gulf of Mexico.
Karen has slowed down and current projections have it approaching the Mobile area on Sunday morning, which is good news for the Jaguars football game on Saturday.
According to Athletics Director Joel Erdmann everything is still on schedule up in Troy, Alabama for the game at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon and, if the storm stays on it’s current path and speed, the game should be minimally impacted. Currently, the concerns would be their trip back to Mobile.
If the game were to be postponed, it is uncertain when it could be rescheduled as both schools do not share a common off-week through the rest of the season and the Jags has a game on December 7, the scheduled final week of the regular season which also coincides with several conference championship games.
The Jags and Trojans are set for a 12 noon kickoff at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama. The game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports South (CSS) and ESPN3. As always, Lee Shirvanian will call the play-by-play on WNSP 105.5 FM in the Mobile area and streaming from http://WNSP.com worldwide.
Below is Troy head coach Larry Blakeney from his press conference on Monday speaking mostly about his team, but talking about South Alabama on a couple of instances.
Non-AQ Top Ten – USA Earns Votes
Fresno State stays on top of the rankings but South Alabama earned two votes this week, but not enough to crack into the top 10 just yet.
|
Non-AQ Top 10
|
|||
|
RK
|
TEAM
|
RECORD
|
PTS
|
|
1
|
Fresno
State (8) |
4-0
|
98
|
|
2
|
Northern
Illinois (2) |
4-0
|
86
|
|
3
|
Utah
State |
3-2
|
54
|
|
4
|
Brigham
Young |
2-2
|
51
|
|
5
|
Boise
State |
3-2
|
45
|
|
6
|
East
Carolina |
3-1
|
44
|
|
7
|
Bowling
Green |
4-1
|
43
|
|
8
|
Ball
State |
4-1
|
42
|
|
9
|
Ohio
|
3-1
|
32
|
|
10
|
Texas
State |
3-1
|
17
|
Dropped from rankings: Wyoming, Navy
Others receiving votes: Marshall 6, Wyoming 6, Tulane 5, Rice 3,
Louisiana 3, Nevada 3, Navy 2, South Alabama 2, Western Kentucky 1.
Great Article Covering USA President Emeritus Gordon Moulton’s Memorial Service
President Emeritus V. Gordon Moulton 1940-2013 | Photo southalabama.edu
Cassie Fambro, a former editor in chief of the Vanguard now with AL.com, wrote a great article covering the memorial service for South Alabama President Emeritus Gordon Moulton.
Moulton passed away on Saturday after a year long battle with brain cancer, he was 73.
During the vigil, Gordon’s wife Geri shared a number of memories of president Moulton. Possibly the most poignant quote of the night was his words to his wife after finding out they what they were facing. He told her, “If you hug me, I can do it.”
Click here to read Cassie’s article, view the photos and please make sure to watch the video of Geri Moulton.
Troy Players Called Players-Only Meeting After Duke Loss
Troy head football coach Larry Blakeney.
The Troy football team called a player-only meeting after their 38-31 loss to Duke.
“I walked into the meeting room and left,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney told AL.com. “They got there early to meet and I granted them that privilege. Sometimes as a group you need a cleansing of your mind, your heart, your spirit. Sometimes you need to air things out as a team and I’ve never seen one of those things hurt a team.”
While Blakeney is the school’s all-time winningest football coach with a record of 171-101-1 record into the game against South Alabama, they have fallen on tough times the last two seasons. The Trojans last had a winning season in 2010 when they went to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and defeated Ohio University for an 8-5 season.
Over the last two seasons they have gone 3-9 in 2011 and 5-7 in 2012 for a combined 8-16 mark. They have started off the 2013 season with a 2-3 mark.
Troy will welcome South Alabama to Veterans Memorial Stadium for the first time and only the second time the two teams have met in South Alabama’s short history. The Trojans won the first meeting between the two 31-10 in a wet, sloppy game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
This will be Troy’s homecoming game against the Jags who are quickly developing into a bit of a rivalry. The two schools recruit the same players and areas while only being separated by about 176 road miles.
Could Blakeney’s seat be getting a little warm in Troy? I wouldn’t put his job on the market by any means, but there may be a sense of urgency starting to grow in Troy to get more wins and back to a bowl game.
Don’t forget what Blakeney said last year during SBC Media Day. Read his quotes here.
Go Jags! Beat Troy!
Jaguars Vs Trojans By The Numbers
How do the Jags and Trojans stack up as they enter the game this weekend? Let’s dissect the numbers.
The Jags enter the game with a 2-2 record coming off a 31-24 loss at Tennessee. Troy enters the game with a 2-3 record. They opened the season with wins over UAB and Savannah State, but have lost three in a row against Arkansas State, Mississippi State and Duke all on the road.
Troy is second in the Sun Belt in scoring offense with an average of 34.4 points per game with South Alabama in fourth with an average of 29.2 points per game average. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama has the edge in scoring defense as they rank third in the conference allowing an average of 29.0 points per game. Troy ranks seventh in the conference, just ahead of Georgia State, allowing an average of 35.0 points per game. Edge: South Alabama.
Troy ranks first in the conference in total offense with an average of 468.0 yards per game. South Alabama is fifth in the conference with an average of 401.5 yards per game. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama ranks third in the conference in total defense allowing an average of 399.5 yards per game. Troy ranks sixth in the conference allowing an average of 439.6 yards per game. Edge: South Alabama.
South Alabama ranks fifth in rushing offense with 158.5 yards per game. Troy is right behind South Alabama in sixth place with an average of 147.2 yards per game rushing. Edge: South Alabama. Edge: South Alabama.
Troy ranks first in the conference in passing offense with an average of 320.8 yards per game. South Alabama ranks fourth in the conference in passing offense with an average of 243.0 yards per game. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama ranks second in the conference in rushing defense by allowing an average of 150.5 yards per game. Troy is right behind the Jags in third place allowing an average of 155.0 yards per game. Edge: South Alabama.
South Alabama ranks third in the conference in pass defense by allowing an average of 249.0 yards per game passing. Troy is next to last in seventh place allowing an average of 284.6 yards per game passing. Edge: South Alabama.
Troy comes in first in the conference in pass efficiency with a rating of 154.7. South Alabama is ranked seventh in the conference with a ranting of 115.7. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama ranks first in the conference in interceptions with 7 through four games while Troy ranks seventh with two through five games. Edge: South Alabama.
South Alabama ranks third in the conference in pass defense efficiency with a rating of 122.3. Troy ranks last in the conference with a pass defense efficiency of 157.5. Edge: South Alabama.
Special teams is where games can be won or lost. Lets see how these two teams stack up there.
South Alabama ranks second in the conference in kickoff returns with an average of 24.1 yards per return. Troy ranks last in the conference with an average of 16.2 yards per return. Edge: South Alabama.
South Alabama ranks fifth in the conference in punt returns with an average of 5.7 yards per return. Troy ranks seventh in the conference with an average return of 4.8 yards. Edge: South Alabama.
Troy ranks second in the conference in punting with an average of 39.3 yards per punt. South Alabama ranks fifth in the conference with an average punt of 36.7 yards. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama and Troy are neck-in-neck on kickoff coverage. They both average 37.5 yards per return. Hoever, Troy had nine touchbacks. Edge: Troy.
Troy barely edges out South Alabama in field goals. Troy ranks third by going 4-of-6 for a field goal percentage of 66.7%. South Alabama is 6-of-10 for a field goal percentage of 60.0%. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama is in a five way tie for first place in PAT kicking with a perfect 13-for-13. Troy is in sixth place with a 95.7 percent rating on PAT kicking by making 22-of-23. Edge: Push (while the Jags have not missed one, Troy had kicked 23 PAT’s).
Troy is tied with three other teams for first in the conference in sacks with 10 through five games. South Alabama is tied for fourth with three other schools with nine sacks through four games. Edge: South Alabama (slightly higher sacks per game average).
South Alabama and Troy are tied with WKU for sacks allowed. Both schools have allowed seven sacks though Troy has done it over five games while the Jags have done that through four games. Edge: Troy (due to a lower average per game).
Troy ranks first in the conference in first downs with an average of 24.4 per game. South Alabama ranks sixth in the conference with 20.2 first downs per game. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama’s defense ranks fourth in the conference with an average of 21.0 first downs per game allowed. Troy is close behind with an average of 21.2 first downs per game allowed putting them fifth. Edge: South Alabama.
Troy ranks fourth in the conference in 3rd down conversions with a conversion percentage of 42.7%. South Alabama ranks sixth in the conference with a 3rd down conversion percentage of 39.0%. Edge: Troy.
Troy’s defense ranks fifth in the conference by allowing the opponents to convert 39.4% of their third down attempts. South Alabama is right behind them in sixth place allowing 42.4% of their opponents 3rd down conversions to be successful. Edge: Troy.
Troy is first in the conference in 4th down conversions going 6-of-8 for a 75% mark. South Alabama has converted 2-of-6 for 33.3% and good for fifth in the conference. Edge: Troy.
South Alabama has allowed 2-of-5 fourth down conversions for a tie for fifth place in the conference with a 40% conversion rate. Troy is tied for last with Georgia State by allowing 2-of-4 4th down conversions for a 50% conversion rate. Edge: South Alabama.
South Alabama ranks fifth in the conference in penalties with an average penalty yardage of 50.2 per game. Troy is last in the conference with an average of 62.8 yards per game. Edge: South Alabama.
South Alabama is even in turnover margin with a +0 good enough for fourth place in the conference. Troy ranks sixth in the conference with a -10 margin for the season. Edge: South Alabama.
Final tally: South Alabama 14 – Troy 12. So as you can tell, it’s a close match between the two and should be a very exciting game to watch.
Kickoff in Troy is slated for 12-noon with radio coverage on 105.5FM WNSP and www.wnsp.com. Comcast Sports South (CSS) and ESPN3 will also carry the game on TV.
USA Treating Troy As Any Other Opponent
The Jags are only a few days removed from their thrilling game against Tennessee and there still remains a lot of buzz in the air.
Few teams receive the amount of congratulations and praise for a loss as the Jaguars have received since their narrow loss in Knoxville. They deserve the praise as they have quickly grown from a fledgling team who only began football five years ago and have now knocked off Tulane, Western Kentucky and gave Tennessee a run for their money. That is unbelievable growth when talking about College Football, or anything for that matter.
But they cannot dwell in the past and must turn their focus on the future, namely Troy University.
The Jags played their first ever Sun Belt Conference game against Troy last season and a combination of the emotions and experience went to the Trojans and they came away with a 31-10 win at Ladd-Peebles Stadium last season in a wet, sloppy game.
Head coach Joey Jones knows that they cannot get caught up in the talk of rivalries or look at the team they will be playing on Saturday any differently than they look at any other opponent.
The team will continue to do what they have been doing all season and that is focus on bettering themselves.
“What our guys have taken on this year is focusing on what we need to do,” Jones said in his Monday press conference. “I think that approach has helped us. We’re not worried about the other team anymore, even though we have to prepare for them. We’re worried about what we do, and I think that has made us a much better team. We’ve worked on things like being one in practice, and our offense, defense and special teams are on the same page right now. We’re all working toward the same goal, and that’s what we’re focusing on. Troy is our next conference game, and that is important for us and to our goals. We want to get in a bowl game and win a conference championship, and that’s where we are. That’s why we are going to work hard this week and do the things we need to do to get prepared for Troy.”
The Jags 2-2 (1-0 SBC) will enter the game tied for first place in the Sun Belt standings while Troy 2-3 (0-1 SBC) is tied for last place. However each team has only played one conference game thus far and the conference season is just now starting to get warmed up.
This weeks slate of conference games include:
WKU @ ULM Thursday Oct. 3 on ESPNU
Texas State @ ULL 6pm ESPN3
Georgia State @ Alabama 11:21am SEC Network
The Jags and the Trojans will be on ESPN3 nationally and on Comcast Sports South for Comcast Cable subscribers. The game will also be Troy’s homecoming game which the Jags will hope to spoil.
Go Jags!
USA Sports Teams To Honor President Moulton This Season
All of the South Alabama sports teams will honor president emeritus Gordon Moulton by wearing a uniform patch or helmet sticker, whichever is most applicable.
The patch/sticker will be black and will simply have the initials VGM in white letters. Athletics Director Joel Erdmann hopes to have the helmet stickers ready for the Jags game against Troy on Saturday. However the patches will take longer to produce for other uniforms such as volleyball and soccer.
Monday Press Conference
On Monday, head football coach Joey Jones, quarterback Ross Metheny and defensive back Terrell Brigham met with the media to recap the Jags trip to Knoxville and preview their trip to Troy.
Head coach Joey Jones began with his opening statement, “I’m real pleased with our effort on Saturday. They (Tennessee) came out and jumped on us. They got on a roll against us offensively, and kind of had us on our heels a little bit. Offensively, we drove down that opening possession and had a tremendous drive to score. We stalled a little after that, and we just kind of hung in there and it ended up being 24-7 at the half. They came out and got another touchdown to make it 31-7, but I thought we played really well from that point forward. One thing about our players and staff is that we’re not going to quit at any time. Our kids believe they can win. We got after it and made a lot of plays in the second half, and had a chance at the end to win the ballgame.”
Coach Jones also spoke about the positives for the team in the second half of the loss to Tennessee. “It shows us that if you come with the right frame of mind and you approach the game with a winner’s attitude, we feel like we can play with anybody. Our kids understand that now. They understand what it takes, because we have been through it. That right there is going to help us in the future.”
Jones believes that the Jags winning late in games will help them down the road. “Our players certainly understand how to act and what they need to do to get things done in a close game in the future. I think it’s going to do nothing but help us.”
He spoke about Troy and what the Jags will be focusing on this week. “What our guys have taken on this year is focusing on what we need to do. I think that approach has helped us. We’re not worried about the other team anymore, even though we have to prepare for them. We’re worried about what we do, and I think that has made us a much better team. We’ve worked on things like being one in practice, and our offense, defense and special teams are on the same page right now. We’re all working toward the same goal, and that’s what we’re focusing on. Troy is our next conference game, and that is important for us and to our goals. We want to get in a bowl game and win a conference championship, and that’s where we are. That’s why we are going to work hard this week and do the things we need to do to get prepared for Troy.”
The talked about where the Jaguar program stands in the Sun Belt Conference. “It is a long season, but I think the biggest thing for us and the confidence we’re building on is we’re just better. We’re a better team because our players and staff have done a great job of preparing every day to become better. That’s what we’re focusing on; we’re not focusing on where we are at right now. The thing I challenged them (team) with a few weeks ago is we want to look at ourselves now, and then look five or six games down the road – we want to be a better team and take some of our weaknesses and hopefully they become strengths. If we can do that we’ll be in contention late, but you have to do your work every day to get there.”
Quarterback Ross Metheny reflected on the Tennessee game. “Last week’s game was a great experience for us as a team and a program. We came in at halftime down by a considerable margin and Coach came in and challenged us as a team to fight. I think we came out in the second half and did that. We executed at a higher level in the second half than we did in the first half. It was good for us to go in an environment like that and stand up and fight and battle. I think we can use that going forward. In all of our games this year, it’s taken 60 minutes of football. Moving forward, we understand how to play 60 minutes of football and that will benefit us the rest of the year.”
Metheny also spoke about why the execution was better in the second half against Tennessee. “I think the challenge that Coach presented at halftime really spoke to us. There were a couple of times where we got the ball in really good field position off of turnovers, and we had the mindset of, ‘This is where we need to put ourselves in a position to be successful.’ We went out and put blinders on and didn’t worry about the crowd or the Orange or Rocky Top. We just went out and executed and focused on our assignments. That’s something we can take and move forward with it the rest of the year.”
Metheny also spoke about the budding rivalry against Troy and the importance of the game against them towards their goal of winning a SBC title. “Troy is a good opponent. They’re solid in all three phases of the game. This rivalry is new and trying to develop. It’s good for the state of Alabama and it’s good for both South Alabama and Troy. We know that they’re going to come out and be aggressive and try to win a football game. We have to prepare hard this week and come with our best game.”
“We know Troy is one of those teams that are usually at the top of the Sun Belt. That speaks volumes about their program, their coaches and the players they have. They have a tradition of being successful. We want to be where Troy is, and in order to do that, we need to take that next step. We have the ability to do that this weekend. We know it will be a challenge, but we’re excited for the challenge.”
Brigham spoke about the Tennessee game and the Troy offense. “It was definitely a good experience for our offense and defense. For our offense to go down there and score on the first drive shows they weren’t intimidated. Our defense only gave up seven points in the second half. We can take that and learn from it next week against Troy.”
“Troy’s always had a pretty good offense. They air the ball out and have some pretty good receivers and a lot returners on offense. We have to do what Coach says, play for 60 minutes and execute and hopefully things will work out.”
South Alabama will square off in Troy on Saturday, October 5. The game will be available on the Sun Belt Network on CSS and on ESPN3. Kickoff is scheduled for 12pm.
Moulton Memorial Set For Wednesday, Oct 2
President Emeritus V. Gordon Moulton 1940-2013 | Photo southalabama.edu
President Emeritus Gordon Moulton lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, September 28 at the age of 73. He has been with the University through most of it’s 50 years of existence.
Moulton joined the faculty of the brand new USA College of Business in 1966 at age 26. Later Moulton established the department of Computer and Information Sciences, now the School of Computing. He served as director of computer services, dean of administratove services and a 15-year appointment as vice president for services and planning. He served as president of the University since 1998 and was only the second president in USA’s 50 year history.
In his 15 years as president he was instrumental in transforming the University into one of the nation’s finest educational institutions. He created an economic development engine at USA that provides countless jobs and resources for citizens throughout Mobile and the region.
Moulton, a native of Donalsonville, GA, earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his master’s degree in business administration from Emory University.
In addition to more than 46 years of service, the Moultons have supported USA with more than $7 million in gifts toward numerous institutional priorities, including the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza, Geri Moulton Children’s Park at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, student scholarships, faculty support, USA’s creative writing program, athletics and many others.
Moulton’s contributions have been widely praised by the community. He was awarded the Civitan Mobilian of the Year award in 2002, and the Moultons’ service was forever commemorated in 2009 with the naming by USA’s Board of Trustees of the new landmark Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza.
During Moulton’s presidency, USA has:
• Grown in enrollment by a third to a record 15,000.
• Nearly doubled the number of degrees awarded to 75,000.
• Quadrupled its scholarship program and created the University Honors Program.
• Expanded its academic reputation and degree programs.
• Implemented student life enhancements including football and marching band and new recreation, dining and housing facilities.
• Completed more than a half-billion dollars in construction, supporting every mission of the University.
• Expanded health care through creation of the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute and a major addition to USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, complementing efforts of the USA Medical Center and the physicians and professionals of the USA Health System, who treat more than 250,000 area citizens annually.
• Initiated the first comprehensive fundraising campaign at USA, generating more than $93.5 million to support all missions of the university.
• Become one of Mobile’s most powerful economic drivers, employing more than 5,600 people, and adding $2 billion annually to the area economy.
• Doubled its contract and grant research program, achieving the same Carnegie research ranking as Auburn University and the University of Alabama.
• Created the USA Technology and Research Park, employing 600 private sector professionals.
• Made numerous enhancements to the art, history and culture of the Mobile region.
One of the most visible transformations at the University during Moulton’s 46-year tenure has been an ambitious $500 million building program to provide a state-of-the-art atmosphere for learning, and to enhance the quality of student life.
Highlights of campus improvements during the Moulton administration include:
• USA Mitchell Cancer Institute
• USA Technology & Research Park
• USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital Expansion
• Student Recreation Center
• Shelby Hall (Engineering and Computing Sciences)
• Health Sciences Building (Nursing and Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions)
• Mitchell Center Arena
• Meisler Hall student services building
• University Library addition
• Gordon and Geri Moulton Bell Tower and Alumni Plaza
• Faculty Club
• Specialized Laboratory Building
• Stanky Field Renovation
• Laidlaw Performing Arts Center (Dramatic Arts and Music)
• Mitchell College of Business Renovation
• Joseph & Rebecca Mitchell Learning Resource Center
• JagTran Campus Transit System
• Geri Moulton Children’s Park
• Alfred and Lucile Delchamps Archaeology Building
• USA Baldwin County College of Nursing Complex
• Student Dining Facility
• Living-Learning Residence Halls, including Stokes Hall
• Campus Entry Portals
• Intramural Fields and Fieldhouse
• Football Fieldhouse and Practice Fields
• Marching Band Practice Field
• Multi-Use Facility — Track, Softball, Soccer
• Bookstore Renovation
• Student Center Bookstore Mall
• Student Center Renovation
• Renovation of PE Building and Old Recreation Center
• Glass Arts Building
• Sorority and Fraternity Houses
A community memorial is set for Wednesday, October 2 at the Mitchell Center. The memorial will begin at 4pm.
Moulton is survived by his wife, Geri (Shelley); a brother, Charles (Rita) Moulton, Albany, Ga.; and a sister, Anne Odom (Donald), Donalsonville, Ga. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gwen and John Curtis Moulton.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative at the University of South Alabama, in care of the USA Office of University Development, 300 Alumni Circle, Mobile, AL 36688-0002.