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Stadium Bowl Takes Shape at Rentschler Field
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Rentschler Field Groundbreaking Celebrated By
Governor Rowland, UTC, UConn, E. Hartford Mayor Larson
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (Oct. 22, 2000) -- Governor John G. Rowland, University of Connecticut President Philip E.
Austin, United Technologies Chairman and CEO George David, and East Hartford Mayor Timothy
Larson led a groundbreaking celebration at Rentschler Field in East Hartford today. The
ceremony, attended by UConn officials and boosters, state and local government officials,
UTC officials, and members of the Rentschler Family, marked a new milestone in efforts to
revitalize the Hartford area and elevate the UConn football program to national status.
"The transformation of Rentschler Field exemplifies the significant progress that is being
made here in East Hartford and across the river in Hartford towards creating a bright future
for our capital region, and building on the success of UConn athletics" said Governor Rowland.
Rentschler Field will be a 40,000+ seat football stadium that serves as home field for UConn
Football as well as other sports and entertainment events. The state-of-the-art facility will
span 8.5 acres of the 75-acre site contributed by United Technologies. Rentschler Field is
named for Frederick Rentschler, a visionary inventor who founded Pratt and Whitney in
Hartford in 1925. Pratt and Whitney, now owned by Hartford-based UTC, moved to East
Hartford in 1929.
The natural grass Rentschler Field playing surface will be 26-feet below grade at the
stadium, which will feature stadium seating, club seats, fully enclosed club seats and
40 luxury suites. UConn will play the first college football game ever to be played on
Rentschler Field's gridiron against Rutgers August 30, 2003.
"The stadium project represents one more exciting example of UConn's dramatic progress
on multiple fronts, said UConn president Austin. "We are honored to be a major contributor
to Connecticut's educational, economic and cultural vitality, especially in the region of
our State's capitol and we are delighted to be part of this public-private partnership."
The Rentschler Field development coincides with the elevation of the UConn Football
program to Division I-A, positioning it to compete at a major college football level
as a member of The Big East Football Conference.
Lew Perkins, UConn director of athletics, added "UConn athletics provide a singular
and unifying source of pride for the people of Connecticut. In supporting the stadium,
Connecticut's citizens have expressed confidence that we can bring the tradition of
athletic excellence at UConn to our Division I-A football program. When completed,
this will be the newest stadium in The Big East Football Conference assuring our
student athletes, and the many people who support our program, a first-class
football experience."
"The construction of Rentschler Field provides a vital cornerstone for future
development, and will place East Hartford among the most important national
collegiate sports venues in the country," said Mayor Timothy Larson of East
Hartford, who hosted the event.
Rentschler Field is a $90-million state-funded project proposed by Governor
Rowland as part of his urban revitalization agenda and approved by the Connecticut
General Assembly.
Rentschler Field is being developed by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and
Management. The facility was designed by the architectural firm Ellerbe Becket and the
construction manager is Hunt/Gilbane Joint Venture. The primary tenant at Rentschler
Field, which will be managed by Madison Square Garden, will be the UCONN Football program.
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