Hale Stadium and Field House

This is the famous Hale Stadium—named for the university’s first president William Jasper Hale. More commonly, it is called “The Hole” with most attributing the nickname to the field’s location in a low-lying area. Designed by the architecture firm McKissack and McKissack, the stadium and field house opened in 1953. This is a place where many legendary athletes began their careers.

One such athlete is NFL Hall of Famer Richard Dent who graduated from TSU in 1983. Dent was recruited by another legend, Coach John Merritt. Merritt traveled to Atlanta to visit the Dents, a family with deep ties to their faith. According to local folklore, Coach Merritt entered their home, dropped to his knees, and opened his Bible. The visit was a success, and Dent played for the TSU Tigers from 1979 to 1983. After being drafted to the Chicago Bears, Richard Dent’s first recorded quarterback sack in the NFL was none other than fellow Hall of Famer Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers. Dent was also a part of the cultural phenomenon and dance craze called the “Super Bowl Shuffle” and was named MVP of the Bears’ Super Bowl XX win in 1985.

Richard Dent was just one of many outstanding athletes to play and train here at Hale Stadium. Others include Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Anthony Pleasant, Claude Humphrey, Charlie Ferguson, Joe Gillam, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Wilma Ruldolph, Chandra Cheeseborough, and many others. Hale Stadium served as the home of TSU Tiger Football from 1953 to 1999, when TSU agreed to play at today’s Nissan Stadium in an effort to bring the Tennessee Titans to Nashville. The larger stadium provided newer facilities, but game-days lacked the intimacy of Hale Stadium. From 2010 to 2012, Hale Stadium was renovated, and now TSU splits its home games between Nissan Stadium and “The Hole.” 

Many TSU players talk about the amazing home field-advantage they have here, surrounded by the earthen banks and bleachers full of fans. The game day experience isn’t just about football. It is equally about the sounds and moves of TSU’s award-winning marching band, known as the Aristocrat of Bands. So, check out next year’s schedule and come on down to watch TSU Tiger Football in “The Hole.”

For the last stop you can either stay where you are or you can walk up Merritt Blvd. to get a closer view of the College of Agriculture and Humphries Building. These buildings are located to the right of Hale Stadium. This will be our last stop.