War Memorial Stadium Celebrates 50th Season

War Memorial Stadium

War Memorial Stadium Facts A History of Great Coaches in War Memorial Stadium Great Players Who've Played in War Memorial Stadium Memories From the Sidelines Memories From the Press Box

The 1999 season marks the 50th Anniversary of War Memorial Stadium

"The War" opened on Sept. 16, 1950, with a 61-13 win over Montana State.

Although "The War" opened against Montana State, it wasn't quite finished, lacking a scoreboard for that first game. The official dedication came the next week on Sept. 23 versus nationally-ranked Baylor. The Cowboys won that game 7-0.

War Memorial's original capacity was 20,000 in 1950. It was expanded to 25,500 in 1970, and the seating was increased to its current capacity of 33,500 in 1977.

When War Memorial Stadium opened in the 1950 season, it marked more than just the opening of a new stadium -- it marked the beginning of a new era in Wyoming Football.

The 1950 team coached by Bowden Wyatt went on to post a perfect 10-0-0 record and earned Wyoming's first bowl bid -- the 1951 Gator Bowl -- which UW won 20-7 over Washington & Lee on New Year's Day 1951. The Cowboys ended the season with their first national rankings, ranking No. 12 in the final Associated Press rankings and No. 14 in the final United Press International poll.

Now 50 years later, there are some interesting similarities between that 1950 schedule and the upcoming 1999 schedule. Two teams which played in "The War" in the first season of 1950 are also playing in "The War" in 1999 -- Colorado State and New Mexico. Wyoming has five teams on its 1999 schedule that were also on its 1950 schedule, although not all are home opponents. Brigham Young, Colorado State, Idaho, New Mexico and Utah were all on the Cowboys’ 1950 schedule, and are also on the ‘99 UW schedule.