The Sacramento State football program begins its 15th year of play in renovated Hornet Stadium.

The site of the most dramatic facility renovation in the history of Hornet athletics, the stadium recently underwent a $1 million improvement in preparation for the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in July, 2000.

Hornet Stadium currently seats just over 21,195, down from its original 26,000 capacity following the 1992 renovation. The stadium remains the University’s most impressive athletic facility and one of the largest in the Big Sky Conference.

Until 1995, it was also one of a small handful of stadiums in the country shared by collegiate programs and professional football organizations. The Sacramento Surge of the World League played there in 1992, and the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League played the 1993 and 1994 seasons in Hornet Stadium before moving to San Antonio in 1995.

Following an historic agreement signed December 15, 1991, Sacramento State and Surge owner Fred Anderson entered into a partnership that brought the eventual 1992 World League champions to Hornet Stadium. The renovation project, a key component of that agreement, was one of the most unique ever undertaken on an athletic facility in California. Construction began in early January of 1992. Just 10 weeks later, the 6,000-seat facility was transformed into a magnificent 26,000-seat stadium, featuring dramatic upgrades throughout the venue.

The Surge hosted the Montreal Machine in a preseason game Mar. 14, barely three months after the first shovel pierced dirt in January. Renovations included the increase in seating capacity via temporary bleacher construction (more than quadrupling the capacity of the stadium); a new press box with seating for over 120 media, game personnel, and VIP guests; complete utility upgrades on the grounds, a new state-of-the-art lighting system suitable for network television broadcasts, and a new scoreboard with message center.

Hornet Stadium hosted its first Hornet football game September 5, 1992 against Montana State, the first Division I football opponent ever to play at Sacramento State. In addition to six Surge games in 1992, including one playoff contest, the stadium hosted a major concert for the first time ever when Phil Collins and Genesis played before 20,000 fans in June of that year.

Following the dissolution of the World League in 1992, Surge owner Fred Anderson purchased the expansion rights for the first Canadian Football League team on American soil, the Sacramento Gold Miners. The Gold Miners began play in Hornet Stadium in June of 1993 following minor renovations to the facility, including a new playing surface and the removal of end zone seating to accommodate the large CFL field.