TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – In honor of the 100th Anniversary of the opening of Memorial Stadium this fall, Indiana State Athletics combined with the Terre Haute Tribune Star to put together a list of the top 10 moments in facility history.
 
The stadium was constructed in 1923–1924 by the City of Terre Haute to seat approximately 16,000 people. Its grounds were used for minor league baseball, semi-pro, high school and college football and baseball, professional boxing, circuses, fireworks exhibitions, ice skating and miscellaneous conventions and other events.
 
The stadium was officially dedicated on May 4, 1925, and was universally hailed as the nation's finest minor league baseball stadium. Baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis was present to throw out the first pitch of the season opening game between Terre Haute and the Peoria Tractors.
 
The Top 10 List compiled includes the following:
Thanksgiving Day, 1924 - First Use of the Playing Field
Wiley and Garfield High Schools played their traditional Thanksgiving Day Game.
 
May 4, 1925 - Memorial Stadium dedicated to the public for first time
Local minor league baseball team, the Terre Haute Tots, played the Peoria Tractors before an estimated crowd of 9,000. Among the honored guests were Major League Baseball Commissioner Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis and Charles Barnard of the Cleveland Indians.
 
Aug. 22, 1938 – Babe Ruth Comes to Town
Baseball legend Babe Ruth played a game at Memorial Stadium in 1938 with the Brooklyn Dodgers as a player-coach.
Link: https://www.tribstar.com/sports/the-day-babe-ruth-came-to-town/article_183cea07-d393-5f8b-85ba-38dba29bdbe8.html
 
April 8, 1945 – Chicago White Sox Spring Training
The Chicago White Sox conducted their spring training at Memorial Stadium that year, and capped their stay with a game against the Detroit Tigers, drawing 6,000 fans.
Link: https://www.tribstar.com/news/news_columns/mark-bennett-life-feeling-abnormal-mlb-teams-conducted-spring-training-in-terre-haute-once/article_9e955766-caac-51a8-9742-38a5e3348087.html
 
July 3, 1956 – Terre Haute Huts Play Final Game
Terre Haute's last professional minor league baseball team, the Huts of the Three-I League, played its final game at Memorial Stadium.
Link: https://www.tribstar.com/news/lifestyles/terre-haute-s-last-minor-league-team-played-its-final-game-50-years-ago-this/article_86f5e82b-f1dc-5b81-9071-0b86b9edfca3.html
 
1967 - Installation of Artificial Turf
Stadium and Indiana State University claim distinction as the world's first university to make outdoor application of Astroturf. Following the University's acquisition of the stadium, Indiana State opened the 1967 season with a 41-6 win over Eastern Illinois in the first game played on the new surface.
 
Nov. 12, 1971 – First Meeting of the Victory Bell Rivalry
The first meeting of the Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South football teams began their long Victory Bell rivalry at a packed Memorial Stadium. The Braves won 15-12, with future ISU standout Jim Piepenbrink quarterbacking.
 
Nov. 5, 1977 – Vincent Allen Clears 4,000
Vincent Allen cleared the 4,000-yard career rushing mark in a loss to Ball State at Memorial Stadium, a feat that had been achieved, at the time, by only 21 other college players in history. He also became one of only four players, at the time, to rush for more than 1,000 yards in all four collegiate seasons.
 
Oct. 11, 1980 – Memorial Stadium Record Crowd
A record 18,298 fans turn out for ISU's Homecoming game vs. Southern Illinois. ISU won 19-6.
Link: https://www.tribstar.com/sports/local_college_sports/isu_sports/isu-flashback-in-1980-record-crowd-of-18-298-enjoyed-homecoming-win-over-siu/article_0155b549-962f-5ca4-a297-dd0f01ebed77.html
 
Nov. 26, 1983 – Indiana State wins Division I-AA Playoff Game
ISU wins NCAA Division I-AA playoff game by 16-13 score over visiting Eastern Illinois at Memorial Stadium.
Link: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/26/Scott-Bridges-kicked-three-field-goals-including-the-game/4281438670800/
 
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