Lane Stadium – stadium description

Decision to build a new stadium at Virginia Tech was made in 1962. It meant doubling the capacity for Hokies home games from 17,000 at the old stadium to 35,050. However, despite 1.5 year of construction, the stadium wasn’t that big for Sept 1965 opening. It was delivered eventually in 1968.

Its significant capacity was achieved by erection of just two stands along the sides, both curved slightly for optimum sightlines. Each was roughly 60 rows high and stayed that way until 1980, when the east grandstand was expanded by further 30+ rows. Since then it has 106 rows and with over 30,000 capacity is one of the largest free-standing single-tiered terraces in the world. Interestingly, expanding it cost nearly as much as building the initial stadium in 1965 ($3.2m to $3.5m).

Since then there were only two more major alterations in the twentieth century. In 1982 floodlights were added, while in 1999-2000 the north end was finally filled with a permanent structure. It was then and still is the smallest grandstand of the stadium with roughly 5,100 capacity. That size is strictly limited by road running behind the stand.

In 2004 the south end was finally enclosed. This time a double-tier stand was built with premium seating in place, offering a total of over 11,000 places. Almost simultaneously work began on upgrade of the western main stand. By 2006 new luxury suits (over 50) and brand new outer façade were ready, ending the most expensive redevelopment to date.

The stadium’s name honours Edward Hudson Lane, a Virginia Tech graduate who contributed largely to the building’s founding. However, since 1992 the field is named separately, this time honouring Wes and Janet Worsham, long-time Hokies fans who also supported the university greatly.