The Florida State Seminoles call Doak S. Campbell Stadium home. Since Nov. 20, 2004, the historic field has been named after legendary head coach Bobby Bowden. The Seminoles boast an impressive home record at one of the nation’s most iconic stadiums.
Doak Campbell Stadium
FSU’s run to national prominence brought with it fame, fortune, and notoriety. The term “Doak” conjures up fear, noise, and tradition in north Florida. For Seminoles fans, it’s a welcome sign. To others, it’s a sign of impending doom.
- Location: Tallahassee, Florida
- Capacity: 79,560
- Record Attendance: 84,431 (Oct. 18, 2013)
- Date Opened: Oct. 7, 1950
- First Opponent: Randolph-Macon (W, 40-7)
- Expansions: 1954, 1961, 1964, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1992-1996, 2001, 2003, 2016
- Surface: 419 Tiftway Bermuda Grass
- Home Record: 322-108-4
Florida State broke ground and opened Doak Campbell Stadium in 1950, naming it after President Doak Campbell. Doak’s brick facade is as memorable as some of the events that have transpired on its field.
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Included in those events was the donning of the “FSU War Chant” in 1983 against Auburn. A chant so popular the Atlanta Braves of the MLB and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL have since adopted.
FSU’s stadium capacity steadily rose in the rise to fame on the national stage, capping at one point at 82,300 prior to renovations that brought down the capacity in 2016.
Doak Campbell Stadium Seating Capacity History
- 1950-53: 15,000
- 1954-60: 19,000
- 1961-63: 25,000
- 1964-77: 40,500
- 1978-79: 47,413
- 1980-81: 51,094
- 1982-84: 55,246
- 1985-91: 60,519
- 1992: 70,123
- 1993: 72,589
- 1994: 75,000
- 1995: 77,500
- 1996: 80,000
- 2001-02: 82,000
- 2003-15: 82,300
- 2016-Present: 79,560
Despite a total number of 82,300, the FSU record for attendance broke that barrier over a dozen times.
In 2014, against Notre Dame, the record crowd of 84,431 saw the Seminoles take down the then-No. 5 Fighting Irish, 31-27, in what still stands as the highest attendance. The 2006 season boasts the highest total of attendees (644,256), while the 2014 season saw the largest season average attendance (82,211) in FSU history.
Doak Campbell Stadium Highlights
As memorable as the contests inside Doak have been, the stadium and grounds around it are home to some stunning architecture.
Unconquered
The 19-foot Unconquered statue at the south entrance of the stadium is arguably the most famous piece. Lit aflame at sunset prior to home games, the symbolism is meant to portray the unconquered nature of the Seminole people, as the inscription reads. After its unveiling in 2003, the word “Unconquered” was carved into the pedestal in 2005.
Bobby Bowden Statue
Bowden himself was immortalized in 2004 when a bronze statue was erected outside the Moore Athletic Center. Dedicated alongside the Les and Ruth Akers Plaza in 2004, it lies underneath another famous Bowden monument.
Bobby Bowden Stained Glass Window
One of the five largest stained glass windows in the country, the Moore Athletic Center is known for its massive stained glass creation of Bowden. Created during the commemorative process of dedicating the field name, the stained glass window depicts Bowden overlooking the field among fans in the stands.
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The 30-by-20-foot window was created by Florida State artist Robert Bischoff, JoAnn Bischoff, and 12 FSU students in the Master Craftsman Program.
Sportsmanship Statue
In between Gates B and C at Doak Campbell Stadium, the 15-foot-tall Sportsmanship Statue stands tall. Given in honor of Pappy Strum by his daughter Margaret Strum Allesee, the statue depicts a standing football player reaching out to help a fallen opponent off the ground.
It is said to promote sportsmanship in collegiate athletics and was selected by the National Sculpture Society to be showcased in a special “Sports Sculpture” exhibit in New York City in 2002.
The Seminole Family
Dedicated during homecoming weekend in 2006, the Seminole Family statue depicts an ordinary native Floridian family of the 1830s. Dedicated by Bradley Cooley and Bradley Cooley Jr., the Seminole Family statue is part of a larger series of Florida Native Americans throughout the city of Tallahassee.
Florida State Football Sod Cemetery
Not technically located on Doak Campbell Stadium, across the parking lot from the Moore Athletic Center lies the Florida State Football Sod Cemetery. The Sod Cemetery stands to commemorate notable victories and tribute to FSU’s triumphs.
“Sod games” as they’re called, represent FSU’s most difficult battles on the football field. As folklore states, the first mention of a sod game came from then-athletic board member Dean Coyle Moore who issued this challenge: “Bring back some sod from between the hedges at Georgia.”
After defeating Georgia, 18-0, FSU captain Gene McDowell removed a piece of grass from the field and presented it to Moore the following practice. Head coach Bill Peterson buried the sod at the practice field, and the tradition was born.
Sod games are considered all road games that FSU is an underdog, all road games at Florida, the ACC Championship, and any bowl game. FSU added a bronze plaque above the Sod Cemetery in 2021.
Doak Campbell Stadium Uses
Aside from football contests, Doak Campbell Stadium houses multiple wings for classes, offices, and other activities. The University Centers are home to offices such as Financial Aid, Admissions, Registrar, and Visitor Services. The Seminole Sportshop is within Doak Campbell Stadium as well as the College of Communication and Information and FSU’s testing center.
Ticket offices, Seminole Boosters, athletic center offices, general press access, classrooms, and even lecture halls are available all along the premises.
