The home of the Oregon State University Beavers has had over $360 million in fiscal improvements completed since the 2005 season. The east side of the complex houses some of the finest amenities in all of college and NFL football, including the popular Club and Loge, and a new playing surface (FieldTurf) was installed prior to the 2012 season. Prior to the 2016 season the popular Terrace was introduced to Reser Stadium providing a unique fan experience showcasing the state’s premier food and beverage. In 2017 the expanded Valley Football Center opened to further modernize the on-campus Reser Stadium.
The 2023 season saw the completion of Reser Stadium, featuring a new West Side, making it into a nation best-in-class facility with some of the best sightlines in the sport, in addition to one of the largest videoboards on the west coast. That was installed just prior to the 2022 season.
The OSU student-body sits directly behind the Beavers’ bench along the east sidelines, with passionate fans in other sections. One of the unique aspects of the stadium is that the seating is close to the field, giving OSU a distinct home field advantage.
That home field advantage has helped the Beavers score some of the program’s biggest wins in recent seasons, including snapping USC’s 27-game Pac-10 Conference win streak in 2006 and then defeating the No. 1 Trojans in 2008.
Reser Stadium was originally known as Parker Stadium until June 14, 1999. At that time Al and Pat Reser of Beaverton, Ore., made a personal seven-figure gift to OSU athletics.
The stadium, which is located on the south side of campus, was originally built in 1953 at a cost of $330,463.19 with a seating capacity of 28,000. Following the 1965 Rose Bowl, additional end zone bleacher seats were added to raise the capacity to 33,000. The stadium was expanded to 40,593 in 1967 with a new addition to the west side, including a new press box. Stadium capacity was reduced in 1990 as a result of the construction of the original Valley Football Center. In June of 1996, an enlarged Valley Football Center opened.
Reser Stadium has become a shining monument for not only Athletics, but the entire University. “Beaver Nation” has embraced the upgrades to the facility that has become a source of pride for all of Oregon State University.
RESER STADIUM QUICK FACTS
Built: 1953
Current Capacity: 35,548
First Game: November 14, 1953 vs. Washington State
First Victory: November 14, 1953 vs. Washington State (7-0)
First Touchdown: Chuck Brackett (OSU) 1-yard run vs. Washington State, Nov. 14, 1953
First Touchdown Passing: John Hermann from Douglas Bradley (UCLA), October 23, 1954
First 100-yard Rusher: Ralph Carr (OSU) 107 yards vs. Washington State, Nov. 14, 1953
Biggest Crowd: 47,249 vs. Oregon, November 24, 2012
100th Victory: Aug. 28, 2003 vs. Sacramento State (40-7)
