Features

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last of a three-part series on the history of Memorial Stadium.  

The building of Memorial Stadium was an enormous undertaking which began in November of 1922 and was rapidly completed by November of 1923. Building Review magazine reported that the first phase of the project was the excavation of approximately “...280,000 cubic yards of material by hydraulicking (sic) and by steam shovels...it was an extremely interesting sight to see.” 

The stadium was financed by subscription from alumni, faculty and students. For each $100 dollar donation, the subscriber would receive “script” worth $10 per year for ten years toward the purchase of tickets to the football games. 

The reason given for the selection of the Strawberry Canyon site over the previously announced alternative closer to downtown was that this was land the university already owned and therefore would not have to pay out additional funds for its purchase. 

Just why the University hadn’t considered this before announcing and soliciting funds for the other site remains a mystery. 

Neighbors feared that the stadium would be used for events other than university football games and events such as graduations, but were assured by Robert Gordon Sproul that the stadium would only be used for school-related activities—which proved to be the case for many decades thereafter.  

Then, suddenly in 1972—and despite regulations prohibiting use of university facilities by commercial enterprises—the UC Regents approved a three-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. 

Though the Raiders deal was the first violation of Sproul’s promise, it wasn’t to be the last: rock concerts came next. 

The new crowds—a different mix altogether from the more sedate university student and alumni community—overwhelmed the city, its services and especially the areas closest to the stadium. 

After two years, the City Council cried foul, passing a resolution disapproving of the leasing of Memorial Stadium for commercial use. 

The era of professional football games and other events in the stadium finally ended but only after much public complaint.  

To paraphrase a familiar quotation: If we don’t learn from the mistakes of the past we are bound to repeat them.  

One final note: The accompanying photograph was discovered at Urban Ore in an old family photo album someone had discarded. Among the many photos were six of the stadium under construction. If you have such photographic treasures, don’t throw them away. Donate them to the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association or Berkeley Historical Society.  

Susan Dinkelspiel Cerny is author of the book “Berkeley Landmarks.”