Facilities

Edwards Stadium/Goldman Field

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    Edwards Stadium

    Historic Edwards Stadium/Goldman Field, which opened in 1932, is home to the California track & field and soccer teams.

    Long considered one of the finest track & field facilities in the world, Edwards Stadium has a legacy unmatched in collegiate track & field. Not only has the facility been host to some of the best individual performances in the sport's history, but Edwards Stadium also stands in one of the most beautiful settings in the nation - with panoramic views of the Berkeley Hills and Strawberry Canyon to the east, and the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline to the west.

    Over the years, Edwards Stadium has witnessed 12 world records, 26 American records and 24 collegiate records. The first world record set in the stadium was also history's first 15-foot pole vault, by Cornelius "Dutch" Warmerdam in 1940. The last world mark to fall in Berkeley was in 1978, as Washington State's Henry Rono clocked 13:06.4 in the 5,000-meter run. On a cinder surface in 1966 - before a Tartan all-weather surface was added in 1977 - a University of Kansas freshman by the name of Jim Ryun clocked a remarkable 3:51.3 mile.

    Named after Col. George C. Edwards, the facility opened in 1932 as the only stadium in the world built for track & field use only. Since that time, Edwards Stadium has hosted eight NCAA championship meets, a National AAU Championship, the All-American Invitational in 1966, the 1971 and '78 USA vs. USSR dual-meets, six Kennedy Games, the Brooks Meet of Champions and the Kinney Invitational.

    In 1967, the oval itself was dedicated in the name of Walter Christie, California's first track & field coach (1900-32), and in the early 1960's, the "Friends of California Track" raised funds to build the Walter Christie Bench, which stands just outside the running track on the west side of the field. With funds that remained after the bench was built, the electric clock that sits atop the scoreboard to the north was purchased. A 173-seat press box sits atop the west grandstands.

    Beginning with the 1999-00 school year, the Cal men's and women's soccer teams adopted Edwards Stadium's infield - Goldman Field - as their home venue. The complex opened for soccer prior to the 1999 season, after being converted to a regulation 70-by-115-yards natural grass soccer field.

    A new era of California track & field also began in 2000 when the Golden Bears returned to campus at Edwards Stadium/Goldman Field after a year away while the facility underwent a $3.5 million renovation project. With a seating capacity of 22,000, Edwards Stadium for years had the distinction of being the largest exclusive track & field facility in the United States.

    The improvements for Edwards Stadium were spearheaded by a lead gift of $1.5 million from alumni Richard and Rhoda Goldman. In recognition of their tremendous contribution, the field at the stadium was renamed Goldman Field in honor of Richard's father, Richard Samuel Goldman ('09). In addition, former track athlete David Epstein ('61) made a $250,000 challenge match for other Cal track alumni and friends. Other alumni who have stepped forward with significant support include William Monheit ('33), Frederick Binkley ('43) and Thomas Floers ('48). Below are a list of improvements which have been made. Lights are expected to be installed in the near future.

    Following the completion of the renovation project, Edwards Stadium was honored with the 1999-00 Outstanding Facility Design and Construction award by the U.S. Tennis Court and Track & Field Construction Association.

    Recent improvements include:

  • Reconfigured 400-meter oval with 85-meter straightaways

  • Installation of a top polyurethane all-weather surface

  • Relocation of field events to the north and south ends of the track, allowing for simultaneous men's and women's competitions, similar to European venues

  • Conversion of the infield into a regulation size soccer field (70 x 115 yards), with quality grass, drainage and irrigation

  • Improved landscaping, concessions, ticketing, signage and access/entry points to the stadium