Griffiths Stadium - Official Opening
- A-4567
- Item
- 23 June 1967
Mrs. Mary Griffiths, widow of Joe Griffiths, stands on the cinder track with a member of the [Bonnie Blue Bells] band during the official opening of Griffiths Stadium.
Griffiths Stadium - Official Opening
Mrs. Mary Griffiths, widow of Joe Griffiths, stands on the cinder track with a member of the [Bonnie Blue Bells] band during the official opening of Griffiths Stadium.
Griffiths Stadium - Official Opening
Mrs. Mary Griffiths (third from left), widow of Joe Griffiths, stands in front of Griffiths Stadium entrance sign. J.W.T. Spinks, University President, standing at far right with unidentified dignitaries.
Griffiths Stadium - Official Opening
Mrs. Mary Griffiths (third from left), widow of Joe Griffiths, stands in front of Griffiths Stadium entrance sign. J.W.T. Spinks, University President, standing at far right with unidentified dignitaries.
Griffiths Stadium - Sod Turning
Walter C. Murray, University President, turns the first sod while C.J. Mackenzie and E. Kent Phillips stand on his right. A group of students look on; some have "NBC" on their shirts.
Bio/Historical Note: Prior to 1936, the University of Saskatchewan football team played its home games at Cairns Field on the corner of Avenue A (now Idylwyld Drive North) and 25th Street West. Athletic Director E.W. (Joe) Griffiths longed for a ‘‘home field’’ and had lobbied for its construction since his arrival on campus in 1919. Merits of the project were debated back and forth but little progress was made. In 1935 a student-organized bowling tournament raised $275 and kick-started the process. C.J. Mackenzie, first Dean of Engineering, next seized the initiative by organizing and chairing the U of S Stadium Fund Association. The plan was to fund construction in stages with donations from “students, graduates, faculty and well-wishing business men of the community.” Architectural plans, supplied “gratis” by faculty of the College of Engineering, envisioned a structure costing $25,000 whose final stages would include a grand entrance, bus mall, dressing rooms, showers, etc. The corner of College Street and Cumberland Avenue, site of the ill-fated 1912 City Hospital project, was chosen as the stadium location. Although tenders were initially called for, the University decided to build the project itself using primarily student labour. With the Depression showing no signs of lifting, the University saw the stadium as an opportunity to give financial aid to several students who were in danger of having to discontinue their studies. Sod was turned 17 May 1936, under the supervision of Professor A.R. Greig, Superintendent of Buildings; construction was carried out through the summer. The first stage of the original Griffiths Stadium was officially opened 3 October 1936 amid speeches, bands and a parade. In front of 2,000 fans, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies beat the Alberta Golden Bears 5-3. Decades later, the widening of College Drive and the desire for a new stadium combined to fuel construction of today’s Griffiths Stadium, a few hundred metres east of the original site. It was officially opened 23 June 1967, one month before the death of Joe Griffiths. Improvements were made in 1988 to accommodate the 1989 Jeux Canada Games.
Griffiths Stadium - Sod Turning
Walter C. Murray, University President, turns the first sod while C.J. Mackenzie and E. Kent Phillips stand on his right. A group of students look on; some have "NBC" on their shirts.
Bio/Historical Note: Prior to 1936, the University of Saskatchewan football team played its home games at Cairns Field on the corner of Avenue A (now Idylwyld Drive North) and 25th Street West. Athletic Director E.W. (Joe) Griffiths longed for a ‘‘home field’’ and had lobbied for its construction since his arrival on campus in 1919. Merits of the project were debated back and forth but little progress was made. In 1935 a student-organized bowling tournament raised $275 and kick-started the process. C.J. Mackenzie, first Dean of Engineering, next seized the initiative by organizing and chairing the U of S Stadium Fund Association. The plan was to fund construction in stages with donations from “students, graduates, faculty and well-wishing business men of the community.” Architectural plans, supplied “gratis” by faculty of the College of Engineering, envisioned a structure costing $25,000 whose final stages would include a grand entrance, bus mall, dressing rooms, showers, etc. The corner of College Street and Cumberland Avenue, site of the ill-fated 1912 City Hospital project, was chosen as the stadium location. Although tenders were initially called for, the University decided to build the project itself using primarily student labour. With the Depression showing no signs of lifting, the University saw the stadium as an opportunity to give financial aid to several students who were in danger of having to discontinue their studies. Sod was turned 17 May 1936, under the supervision of Professor A.R. Greig, Superintendent of Buildings; construction was carried out through the summer. The first stage of the original Griffiths Stadium was officially opened 3 October 1936 amid speeches, bands and a parade. In front of 2,000 fans, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies beat the Alberta Golden Bears 5-3. Decades later, the widening of College Drive and the desire for a new stadium combined to fuel construction of today’s Griffiths Stadium, a few hundred metres east of the original site. It was officially opened 23 June 1967, one month before the death of Joe Griffiths. Improvements were made in 1988 to accommodate the 1989 Jeux Canada Games.
John Farthing leading a group of men and women exercising during the annual "gymboree" at Griffiths Stadium during Summer School class. Trees and bleachers in background.
Bio/Historical Note: John Farthing joined the Saskatchewan Recreation Movement in 1948 and was instrumental for more than a decade in helping communities and schools develop solid recreation and physical education programs. He served as President of Caswell Hill Recreation Association and sat on the board of Saskatoon Figure Skating Club.
Joe Griffiths Leading Calisthenics
Joe Griffiths, director of Physical Education (in a tiny pair of shorts), leading students in exercising [on campus]; trees and building in background. This was taken during the great thaw of January 1942.
Three competitors in the "Little 500" bicycle race at [Griffiths Stadium]. Bleachers and spectators at left; buildings in background.
Men's Discus Throwing - Action
An unidentified male athlete throwing a discus; pectators in bleachers in background at [Griffiths Stadium].
Unidentified male athlete clearing the bar at Griffiths Stadium. Spectators and trees in background; Hangar Building at right.
Track and Field - Long Jump - Action
An unidentified male athlete takes a jump as spectators line the landing pit [at Griffiths Stadium at dusk].
The finish of a running race with unidentified male participants and a crowd of spectators at Griffiths Stadium.
University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team - Action
Action shot of a Huskies game at Griffiths Stadium. Fans in bleachers in background.
University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team - Action
Huskies football team on offense during a game with the Regina Rams at Griffiths Stadium. Fans in bleachers in background.
Bio/Historical Note: Image appeared in 17 Sept. 1999 issue of OCN.
University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team - Action
Action shot of a Huskies game at Griffiths Stadium. A few fans in bleachers in background.