FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium has served as the home field for University of Louisiana at Monroe football since it opened on September 16, 1978, when the then-Northeast Louisiana Indians christened the venue with a 21-13 win over Arkansas State. Built on the ULM campus across Bayou Desiard in Monroe, Louisiana, the stadium was known for decades as Malone Stadium, honoring James L. Malone, the winningest head coach in the program’s history.
In August 2026, ULM Athletics and FMOL Health | St. Francis announced an expanded corporate partnership that put the healthcare system’s name on the facility starting with the 2026 season, with university officials saying an on-site installation would continue to honor Coach Malone’s legacy. What began as a 20,000-seat facility grew through multiple expansions to a capacity of around 27,617, and it remains the primary gathering point for Warhawks football Saturdays in northeast Louisiana.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (NCAA FBS)
- Location: Monroe, Louisiana
- Opened: September 16, 1978
- Renamed: FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium, August 2026
- Capacity: About 27,617
- Original Capacity: About 20,000
- Surface: FieldTurf
- Record Attendance: About 31,175 (vs. Baylor, 2012)
From Malone Stadium to a New Name
When the stadium opened in 1978, it held roughly 20,000 fans and carried the name Malone Stadium, honoring James L. Malone, the winningest coach in ULM football history. Expansion into both end zones pushed capacity toward its current size of about 27,617, giving the Warhawks one of the larger stadiums among Louisiana’s smaller college programs.
In 2026, ULM Athletics and the FMOL Health | St. Francis healthcare system announced an expanded partnership that renamed the facility FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium, with the revenue earmarked for premium seating upgrades and student-athlete support. University officials said a permanent installation would continue to recognize Coach Malone’s legacy on site.
Gameday Atmosphere and Big Crowds
The stadium’s largest recorded crowd came on September 21, 2012, when about 31,175 fans packed in to watch the Warhawks take on Baylor, a game that pushed attendance well past the venue’s listed capacity. Ongoing upgrades, including FieldTurf playing surface and modern scoreboard technology, have kept the facility current for Sun Belt Conference football.
Today the stadium remains the centerpiece of Warhawks athletics, anchoring campus gamedays in Monroe and giving the university a consistent home-field setting for football since 1978.
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FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium FAQs
Is Malone Stadium still called Malone Stadium?
No. In August 2026, ULM renamed the venue FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium as part of an expanded athletics partnership, though officials said an on-site installation would continue to honor former coach James L. Malone.
When did the stadium open?
The stadium opened on September 16, 1978, with the home team defeating Arkansas State 21-13 in the inaugural game.
What is the capacity of FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium?
The stadium holds about 27,617 fans, up from its original 1978 capacity of roughly 20,000 before later expansions.
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Photo: Quintin Soloviev / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.