By Wren Culp
Staff Writer
When Texas Stadium came crumbling down, the eyes of the world seemed to glance upon it. Some looked upon it with sadness, others with joy. But no matter how people look at it, April 11, 2010 is a day to be remembered for sports fans and North Texans.
Texas Stadium opened on Oct. 24, 1971 when the Dallas Cowboys become the tenants. The stadium was built for an estimated $35 million. Built to replace the Cotton Bowl, the stadium had a 65,675 capacity limit.
From 1972-1981 the Dallas Tornado of the National American Soccer League held their games at the new stadium. Then from 1979 all the way through 1986 the SMU Mustangs used the stadium for their sporting events.
“To see something as historical as Texas Stadium go, is very hard,” said sophomore Davis Loose. “It’s a part of our state’s history, and it’s a shame we’re losing it.”
Also, for about thirty years Texas Stadium was a major venue for high school football. It was not uncommon for they’re to be high school football tripleheaders at the stadium. Texas Stadium served as a temporary home for two Dallas-area high schools Plano Senior High School in 1979 after its home stadium was damaged by a prank gone wrong, and Highland Park High School while a new stadium on campus was being built.
The first concert featured the combination of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young and the Beach Boys. Michael Jackson performed here as well in 1984 as part of the Victory Tour at the peak of his fame. Championship wrestling, motorcross and 704 high school football games all took place at the stadium. Four TV shows and four movies were filmed there.
“To see something as historical as Texas Stadium go, is very hard,” said sophomore Davis Loose. “It’s a part of our state’s history, and it’s a shame we’re losing it.”
On December 20, 2008 the Dallas Cowboys played their final Texas Stadium with a 33-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
“The stadium means a lot to me,” said long time Dallas Cowboys fan Joshua Elliott. “I saw my first football game there.”
Demotion was fulfilled at 7:07 a.m. with 11-year-old Casey Rogers behind the button of the detonator. The stadium fell in a mere 25 seconds.
The historical Texas Stadium might have fallen to the ground, but the tradition and the spirit of the stadium live on.
