Yager Stadium has served as the home field of Miami University football in Oxford, Ohio, since it opened on October 1, 1983. Built for $13.5 million and named for lead benefactor Fred C. Yager, a member of the class of 1914, the stadium replaced the aging Miami Field, which had hosted RedHawks football since 1895.
The stadium is best known as the centerpiece of Miami’s ‘Cradle of Coaches’ tradition, a nod to the long list of football coaches who got their start at Miami before moving on to major college and NFL jobs. Today, Yager Stadium combines that history with modern upgrades, including FieldTurf and broadcast-quality lighting added during a mid-2000s renovation.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Miami RedHawks (NCAA Division I, Mid-American Conference)
- Location: Oxford, Ohio
- Opened: October 1, 1983
- Capacity: About 24,286 (reduced from a peak of 30,012 in 1995–2004)
- Surface: FieldTurf (since 2003; natural grass originally)
- Notable fact: Home of the ‘Cradle of Coaches’ plaza honoring Miami’s coaching alumni
Gameday at Yager Stadium
Yager Stadium has an intentionally unbalanced design, with the west grandstand standing about 20 rows taller than the east side reserved mostly for students. The north end zone holds small bleachers, while the south end zone is left open, giving the bowl a distinctive, asymmetrical look compared to most college football venues.
A 2015 addition brought the Dauch Indoor Sports Center, a 91,000-square-foot practice facility next to the stadium, letting the football program train year-round regardless of Ohio winters.
The Cradle of Coaches Legacy
Miami University’s football program has produced an unusually long line of coaches who went on to shape the sport at higher levels, and Yager Stadium houses a dedicated Cradle of Coaches room alongside the team’s offices and meeting spaces. The stadium’s record crowd of 30,087 came on October 2, 1999, during a game against Marshall, reflecting the program’s peak attendance era before capacity was later scaled back.
Explore more: Explore more iconic stadiums.
USB-charged warmers for cold night games — no disposable packets.
Keeps chili hot from the tailgate to the fourth quarter.
Team-color face paint in a twist-up stick — no brushes, no mess in the car.
Yager Stadium FAQs
Who is Yager Stadium named after?
The stadium is named for Fred C. Yager, a member of Miami University’s class of 1914, who was the lead donor behind its construction.
What is the capacity of Yager Stadium?
Yager Stadium currently seats about 24,286 fans, down from a high of roughly 30,012 during the 1995–2004 era.
When did Yager Stadium open?
It opened on October 1, 1983, replacing Miami Field, which had been in use since 1895.
Get More from Yager Stadium
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Yager Stadium, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: redlegsfan21 from Vandalia, OH, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.