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NCAA FCS

Stambaugh StadiumYoungstown, Ohio

Youngstown State Penguins

👥
Capacity
20,630
🏆
Conference
Missouri Valley
📅
Opened
1982
🌱
Surface
AstroTurf 3D3 RootZone (installed summer 2020)

📖About Stambaugh Stadium

Stambaugh Stadium, affectionately known as the "Ice Castle" for the Penguins' dominance on Beede Field, is a 20,650-seat stadium that opened in 1982 at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. Named after Arnold D. Stambaugh, a prominent businessman who donated 17 acres for sports and recreation in 1952, the stadium has grown from an initial 17,000-seat west-side-only facility to its current configuration after a $5.5 million expansion in 1997. With modern AstroTurf installed in 2020, the Don Constantini Multimedia Center added in 2019, and a tradition of success dating back over 40 years, Stambaugh Stadium stands as a fortress for Youngstown State football.

🏛️Stambaugh Stadium History

Origins

Stambaugh Stadium was built to provide Youngstown State University with a modern on-campus facility for football and athletics. It was named in honor of Arnold D. Stambaugh, a prominent Youngstown businessman who donated 17 acres of land in 1952 for sports and recreation purposes. He passed away in 1981, one year before the stadium opened.

Major Renovations

1982Stadium opened September 4 with initial 17,000 seating capacity on west side only
1991Original playing surface replaced with AstroTurf
1997$5.5M expansion added 3,000+ seats on east side, bringing capacity to 20,630
2006New concourse elevator added for accessibility
2008Football office suites renovated, loge complex repainted, hallways tiled (through Feb 2009)
2009Auxiliary scoreboard constructed in south end zone, new reserved chairback seats installed, two new flagpoles added
2019Don Constantini Multimedia Center opened on east side of facility
2020Playing surface replaced with AstroTurf 3D3 RootZone Field in summer

Notable Moments

Sep 4, 1982First game - YSU vs nearby rival Akron
202240th Anniversary of Stambaugh Stadium celebrated

🎟️Visiting Stambaugh Stadium

Best Seats

The east side, added in the 1997 expansion, offers excellent views and modern amenities including the Don Constantini Multimedia Center. Midfield seating on the west (original) side provides classic stadium atmosphere. Reserved chairback seats added in 2009 offer premium comfort. End zone seats put fans close to the action.

Parking Tips

Parking is available in lots surrounding Stambaugh Stadium on the YSU campus. The stadium is centrally located on campus making it accessible from multiple directions. Arrive 2 hours early for rivalry games and playoff matchups. Follow parking attendant directions for smoothest flow.

Game Day

Experience the "Ice Castle" atmosphere that has intimidated opponents for over 40 years. The modern AstroTurf 3D3 RootZone Field installed in 2020 provides excellent playing surface. The Don Constantini Multimedia Center showcases YSU's commitment to media and communications. The auxiliary scoreboard in the south end zone keeps fans engaged throughout the game. Downtown Youngstown offers diverse dining and entertainment options before or after games.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

The Varsity Club

$$

YSU-focused sports bar offering catering, in-house parties, live music, DJ nights, and post-game celebrations.

📍 0.8 milesYoungstown

💡 The ultimate Penguins gameday destination, packed on home game days.

🍽️Restaurants

MVR (Mahoning Valley Restaurant)

$$

Beloved Youngstown favorite established in 1927, known for rich history, welcoming atmosphere, and delicious Italian cuisine. Features bocce courts and lively event space.

📍 2 milesYoungstown

💡 A Youngstown institution since 1927, perfect for groups and celebrations.

Station Square

$$$

Locally cherished restaurant with diverse menu featuring Italian specialties, over 450 wines and spirits, and organic menu selections.

📍 2.5 milesYoungstown

💡 Upscale Italian-American dining, extensive wine list.

YOSTERIA

$$

Popular restaurant near YSU campus with contemporary menu.

📍 0.9 milesNear YSU campus

💡 Convenient to stadium, good for pre-game dining.

🎭Attractions

Butler Institute of American Art

Free

The nation's first museum dedicated exclusively to American art, holding works by Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, and Norman Rockwell in a beaux-arts building steps from the YSU campus.

📍 0.3 mi524 Wick Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502

💡 Closed Mondays; open Tue–Sat 11am–4pm and Sun noon–4pm. Parking is free on site. Plan 60–90 minutes for the permanent collection.

Fellows Riverside Gardens

Free

A free 12-acre public garden inside Mill Creek MetroParks featuring a sweeping rose garden, seasonal perennial borders, and panoramic views of Mill Creek's gorge.

📍 3.5 mi123 McKinley Ave, Youngstown, OH 44509

💡 Gardens are open dawn to dusk daily year-round; the Davis Education and Visitor Center is open Tue–Sun 10am–5pm. Peak bloom for roses is typically late May through June.

Lanterman's Mill

$

A fully operational 1846 gristmill set in Mill Creek's scenic gorge, where visitors can watch grain ground on original millstones, cross a 19th-century covered bridge, and hike trails past a plunge waterfall.

📍 5 mi1001 Canfield Rd (SR 62), Youngstown, OH 44511

💡 Open May–October, Tue–Sun 10am–5pm (closed Mondays and observed holidays); adult non-resident admission is $4. Buy a bag of stone-ground cornmeal or buckwheat flour from the gift shop.

Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor

$

An Ohio History Connection museum that tells the raw story of the Mahoning Valley's steel era through artifacts, archival film, and worker oral histories.

📍 1 mi151 W Wood St, Youngstown, OH 44503

💡 Open Wed–Sat noon–4pm (not 10am Wed–Fri as sometimes listed); adult admission is $7, YSU students free. Combine with the Butler Institute for a full cultural morning before a Saturday game.

🅿️Parking Options

🅿️

YSU Campus Lots

$10
Lot📍 0.1-0.4 miles

💡 Central campus location with good access. Arrive early for rivalry games.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Stambaugh Stadium? Share it with us.

Closest Stadiums to Stambaugh Stadium

Frequently Asked Questions About Stambaugh Stadium

What is the capacity of Stambaugh Stadium?
Stambaugh Stadium has a seating capacity of 20,630.
Where is Stambaugh Stadium located?
Stambaugh Stadium is located in Youngstown, Ohio.
What team plays at Stambaugh Stadium?
Stambaugh Stadium is the home stadium of Youngstown State Penguins in the Missouri Valley.
When was Stambaugh Stadium built?
Stambaugh Stadium opened in 1982.
Where are the best seats at Stambaugh Stadium?
The east side, added in the 1997 expansion, offers excellent views and modern amenities including the Don Constantini Multimedia Center. Midfield seating on the west (original) side provides classic stadium atmosphere. Reserved chairback seats added in 2009 offer premium comfort. End zone seats put fans close to the action.
What are the best parking tips for Stambaugh Stadium?
Parking is available in lots surrounding Stambaugh Stadium on the YSU campus. The stadium is centrally located on campus making it accessible from multiple directions. Arrive 2 hours early for rivalry games and playoff matchups. Follow parking attendant directions for smoothest flow.
What type of surface does Stambaugh Stadium have?
Stambaugh Stadium has a astroturf 3d3 rootzone (installed summer 2020) playing surface.
What stadiums are near Stambaugh Stadium?
The closest stadiums to Stambaugh Stadium are Dix Stadium (35 mi), InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field (45 mi), Joe Walton Stadium (47 mi), PNC Park (57 mi), Progressive Field (60 mi), Comerica Park (150 mi).

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.