Drake Stadium, Athletic stadium at Drake University in Des Moines, United States
Drake Stadium is an athletic facility at Drake University featuring a 400-meter track with a modern synthetic infield. The venue holds approximately 14,500 spectators in bleachers arranged around the oval track.
Built in 1925, the stadium transformed a natural ravine into a sunken field with bleachers built into the surrounding slopes. This design created a bowl-like structure that shaped how the facility developed over time.
The Drake Relays, held every April, draw athletes and fans from across the country to compete in one of the nation's longest-running track and field events. You can feel the deep roots this competition has in the local sports tradition when you walk through the stands.
Parking is available in designated lots around the university grounds, and clear signage directs visitors to stadium entrances. Arriving early, especially during major events, helps you avoid long lines and find convenient parking.
The track surface evolved from black cinders to red brick, then to modern materials, with the current Drake Blue tartan installed in 2005. This gradual transformation reflects how athletic facilities adapted their surfaces over the decades.
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