Ratcliffe Stadium was opened on Oct. 9,1926 during the “Golden Era of Sports,” and is located on 1010 E. University Ave. along Blackstone Ave. across the Fresno City College campus. It was originally called Fresno State College Stadium, and it was later renamed in dedication to Emory Ratcliffe, Fresno State University’s first football head coach in 1941. In 1942, the high rise grandstand seating on the west side was added and seating capacity rose to 13,000.
A new fieldhouse was built in 1976 on the northeast side of the stadium. It included locker and training rooms, weight room, classroom and offices. Aluminum bleachers were introduced in the late 1970s, along with improved lighting and new restrooms.
Ratcliffe Stadium is known for being the stadium “Where World Records are Broken” due to being the site of 36 world records. Names like Bob Mathias, Dutch Warmerdam, Jackie Robinson, O.J. Simpson and Bill Russell got their start here. This reputation was established when the stadium had a cinder track from its opening in 1926 until the new track was built. In 1986, FCC built an all weather track and field layouts.
On Nov. 2, 2002 the Ram Huddle Club unveiled the “beautiful new football Wall of Fame” which included names like Tom Flores and Shannon Pulliam. It is located under the grandstand giving a better view for spectators. FCC improved the west side of the stadium with new fencing by the ticket booth last year.