Carnie Smith Stadium
Pittsburg State University plays its home football games and hosts its outdoor track meets at Carnie Smith Stadium, widely recognized as one of the finest venues in NCAA Division II. Affectionately referred to as both “The Pitt” and “The Jungle” by Gorilla players and fans, Carnie Smith Stadium provides one of the strongest home field advantages in college athletics.
Construction of the facility began with volunteer labor during the summer of 1923, after a successful fund drive raised the necessary $100,000 to build the stadium. To ensure its completion by the start of the 1924 season, PSU faculty members were required to help work up to eight hours per week. On October 11, 1924, the first varsity football game was played at the new facility between PSU (known as Kansas State Teachers College) and Baker University, in front of approximately 4,000 fans. The team didn’t disappoint all of those who worked so hard to build the new facility, earning a 6-0 victory. KSTC went on to post a 7-0-1 record that year earning the Kansas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) title under head coach Garfield W. Weede.
The facility was originally named Brandenburg Stadium, in honor of William Aaron Brandenburg, the first president of the University. It was built in 1923 with volunteer labor and money donated by students, alumni, faculty and citizens of Pittsburg. In 1987, the University announced that the field would continue to bear the name of PSU’s first president, but the stadium would be called Carnie Smith Stadium, in honor of the legendary PSU football coach who led the Gorillas to two NAIA national championships (1957 and 1961) and six conferences titles during his tenure from 1949-66.
Brandenburg Field
Brandenburg Field is thus the turf playing surface that Gorilla football calls home.
Having undergone multiple renovation projects throughout the years, it’s most recent impressive changes were made during the summer of 2020. Mammoth Sports Construction installed its Elite FieldTurf system, making Brandenburg Field one of only three NCAA schools with this new turf. The others being Division I powerhouse programs at the Universities of Alabama and Oregon.
Prentice Gudgen Track
Prentice Gudgen Track is the outdoor home of the Pittsburg State track and field teams and is located inside Carnie Smith Stadium. The facility is named after the longtime PSU track and field coach and athletic director. Prentice Gudgen served as the track and field coach from 1952-66. Under his leadership, the Gorillas won five conference championships and were a prominent fixture on the midwestern relay circuit. The track is a 400-yard, six-lane tartan polyurethane surface. Jumping pits with polyurethane runways are also located within the stadium next to the track.
Stadium Renovations
PSU’s home field advantage strengthened in 2001 with the completion of a $5.7 million expansion project to Carnie Smith Stadium. With the improvements, all made possible by private funding, an additional 2,300 seats were added to Carnie Smith Stadium, including new club seating on both the East and West stands. The stadium capacity grew from 5,611 permanent seats to 7,950. Additionally, 16 luxury sky boxes were added to the East side of the stadium. New restroom, concession stand and ticket booth facilities were created, an elevator, handicap accessibility and other ADA improvements were made.
Both the home and visitor locker room facilities underwent major improvements, and a new media room was added to the East side for PSU players and media personnel to utilize. An additional eight luxury sky boxes and elevator service were added to the West side in the summer of 2006. The $2.5 million project was made possible by private funding. In 2008, PSU unveiled its “Jungletron” video scoreboard – the largest replay board in Division II – in the south end zone of the stadium. This $1.7 million project was made possible entirely by private funding and provides fans with 2,800 square-feet of vibrant LED video and scoring updates.
