Golden Years: Restored Championship Arch tells story of athletic success

Hung near Common Grounds and the food court, the restored arch was installed in November 2018 and is now accompanied by a replica of one column of the Carroll Field entrance near Carroll Science Hall to be seen by Baylor students, staff and visitors.

A Long History

Formally known as Lee Carroll Athletic Field, the site hosted numerous Baylor athletic events during the course of its existence from 1902 to 1940, ranging from intercollegiate competitions in football, baseball, track and basketball to both female and male student intramural contests.

Carroll Field encompassed an area from Carroll Science Hall to Waco Creek and from Fifth Street to Seventh Street.

“There’re not many places on campus where we’ve told our story in a narrative format like this one,” said Matt Burchett, director of student activities. “It provides a unique opportunity for us to share the story of Carroll Field, the first football stadium on campus. It’s a significant part of our history, and it’s fun to be able to tell this story and have the physical sign inside the facility.”

Baylor Spirit

A 27-foot championship arch was added to the field’s entrance after the SWC title-winning 1922 football season. By the time the arch was dedicated in the late spring of 1923, the Bears had captured another conference title — this time in baseball. Baylor again won the SWC football championship in 1924, leading to a third year being added.

Over the decades, thousands of students, faculty and staff, alumni and Baylor fans were reminded of the power of the Baylor spirit as they passed beneath the Championship Arch on their way to Carroll Field.

Displays beneath the Championship Arch detail the field’s history, including stories about the Baylor vs. TCU football rivalry, the first Homecoming celebration and significant student-athletes who played on Carroll Field.

The restoration of the Championship Arch and refurbishment of Traditions Plaza, formally Vera Martin Daniel Plaza, was made possible by generous support from Carroll (BBA ’76) and Colleen Fitzgerald. Carroll was a yell leader and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Student Foundation as a Baylor student. The Senior Class of 2018 and Student Government also contributed toward this restoration project, helping bring the dream to reality.

Burchett said he considers the new display to be a central place where the Baylor community and visitors can learn more about the University’s traditions and history.

“It pulls together time-honored traditions of our University,” he said. “Those stories are typically only told a few times a year, and this is an opportunity to share that with a broader audience in a more tangible way every day that the SUB is open, which is really exciting for us.”