2021 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL RECORD BOOK
2021
WALKUP SKYDOME
“The Walkup Skydome is a unique, quirky stadium that is a shining example of how stadiums can add to the beauty of college football.” - Bleacher Report, 2012 The J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome is home to the Northern Arizona football, men’s and women’s basketball, and indoor track & field. It is one of the most unique venues in all of college athletics will open for its 43rd year as the entertainment center for northern Arizona. After a logo rebranding in April 2014, the Skydome turf was rebranded with NAU’s newest logo in the center of the field and the wordmark in both endzones. The Skydome underwent additional upgrades in the fall of 2018, as new LED video boards were installed in each endzone, as well as new ribbon video display. The building underwent a major renovation from Dec. 2010 - Sept. 9, 2011, at a cost of $26 million. The scope of the project included bringing the fire, life and safety up to code while remodeling the bathrooms, concourse, offices, suites, locker rooms and press box. The athletic training and equipment on the main floor were also remodeled and three elevators were added to the complex. Fans enter the building to a panoramic view of the field on the east and west concourses. Capacity was reduced to 10,000 with 21-inch wide chair back seating being added. The construction of the Skydome began in the fall of 1975, and the facility was completed in September 1977. Seating capacity for football originally was 15,000 and 7,000 for basketball. Once the largest wood-span structure of its kind in the world, the Skydome was built at a cost of more than $8 million. It covers an area of 6.2 acres, with the roof spanning more than 500 feet and rising 142 feet above the playing surface. The Skydome showcases the REALGRASS™ surface installed in the spring of 2008 by the Hellas Construction firm of Austin, Texas. The carpet, the Matrix version of the brand REWalkup Skydome Facts Capacity 10,000 Constructed 1977 Elevation 7,000 feet First Game NAU 25, Montana 24 Longest Win Streak 11 (1996-97) Losing Losing Streak 4 (1991-92) Biggest Win NAU 75, W. New Mexico 0
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ALGRASS™ cost close to $1 million. The REALGRASS™ Matrix system is comprised of a monofilament spinneret yarn in two different sizes and colors. It is the same installed for the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium. With the 2001 renovation to the Skydome floor, the 96,000-square foot surface was covered with Mondo. The track contains a six-lane, 300-meter non-banked loop (eight sprinting lanes) with the infield containing enough area for six NCAA-standard basketball and volleyball courts, as well as two regulation tennis courts. Track and field specific, the facility now has 12-month training capabilities. When covered for football with artificial turf, the Skydome supports a practice pole vault pit and a long/triple jump runway, as well as a lane for sprinting and hurdles. When the turf is up, the facility can be used for intramural and camp sports, and has enough room for a varsity soccer practice. The roof was also resurfaced during the summer of 2000 and the astroturf was replaced in 2002 from a surface that was in the Tropicana Dome, the home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The concourse contains offices, meeting rooms, restrooms and concession stands. Located on the dome’s floor level are fully equipped locker rooms and state-of-the-art athletic training and weight rooms. During the summer of 1997, the dome underwent a $1 million lighting renovation that further enhanced the Skydome’s lure for television cameras. Fresh air and heat come through 19 large ducts, maintaining a constant temperature of 72 degrees. The first NAU sporting event held in the Skydome was a Lumberjack win over Montana in football on a last-second field goal, 25-24. The first NAU basketball game was a 101-76 triumph over Alaska Anchorage. Field Fun Facts * There is 44 oz. of yarn per square yard of REALGRASS™. * The field consists of 28 rolls that weigh 8,700 pounds each. * The project contains 23,400 pounds of fiber synthetic yarn. * The field is filled with 230,000 pounds of ground recycled rubber tires.
