concrete structure to replace the wooden stands and continued for several seasons as funds were raised. In 1924, the completed structure was dedicated as James Gamble Nippert Memorial Stadium with a capacity of 12,000. The field is slightly offset from a conventional north–south alignment, configured north-northeast to south-southwest at an approximate elevation of above sea level. Timeline 1895 – UC physical education director Arch Carson introduced a plan to build a stadium in Burnet Woods. 1910 – Cincinnati played its first game on Carson Field. Wood bleachers were built on the surrounding hillside. 1909 – Lights were first used because the large number of co-op students on the team could practice only at night. 1915 – Construction began on a permanent brick-and-concrete structure. 1923 – James Gamble donated $250,000 in memory of his grandson, Jimmy Nippert, to complete the stadium. Jimmy died on Christmas 1923 from a football injury a month prior. 1924 – The completed James Gamble Nippert Stadium was dedicated on November 8, with a seating capacity of 12,000. 1936 – Carson Field was lowered to allow the capacity to expand to 24,000. 1954 – Reed Shank Pavilion was completed along the east sideline to boost the capacity to 28,000. 1968 – Nippert was the first home of the AFL's expansion Cincinnati Bengals while the city constructed Riverfront Stadium, which opened in 1970. 1970 – AstroTurf replaced the natural grass surface. 1989 – Nippert Stadium was closed for renovation and UC played its home games in 1990 at Riverfront Stadium. 1991 – Phase I of the stadium renovation was completed to allow for UC home games to be played. The structure was fortified and a three-tiered press box was added. 1992 – Phase II of the renovation was completed, increasing the seating capacity to 35,000 through the expansion of the (renamed) Herschede-Shank Pavilion, and adding new lighting and a scoreboard. 2000 – FieldTurf, a revolutionary new grass-like artificial surface, was installed. The former press box was renamed the John and Dorothy Hermanies Press Box. 2001 – A new video scoreboard was added in the north end zone and 10,000 seats were upgraded. 2005 – A permanent grandstand upgraded seating behind the north end zone and provided new locker rooms at field level for game use. A new, larger video board was installed and the FieldTurf playing surface was replaced. 2009 – 9,000 black cushioned seats were installed in