Fans pack the seats at War Memorial stadium during Saturday’s border war football game against Colorado State University.
Basketball season is almost in full swing, but football season still has three games to go. Which sport holds University of Wyoming fans’ hearts the most?
The football’s Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium or “The War” is the National College Athletic Association’s highest Division I football stadium at 7,220 ft. The basketball’s Arena Auditorium or “Dome of Doom” is also the NCAA’s highest Division I basketball venue.
Both “The War” and the “Dome of Doom” host beloved and cherished sports for UW fans and carry the legacy and the wins and losses in the buildings, structures and air. But which is better?
“The War” is older than the “Dome of Doom” by 32 years. “The War” was built in 1950 and the “Dome of Doom” was built in 1982.
Also, “The War” holds 29,181 fans with its add-ons and the “Dome of Doom” holds 15,000 fans.
The football stadium has 256 indoor seats and 12 suites, thanks to the Wildcatter club and suites addition. However, the basketball dome is all indoor, so when it gets cold and the fans are not blessed with nice weather, basketball fans are warm and toasty while the football fans must tough it out.
The basketball team has won 74 percent of its home games in the “Dome of Doom” and the football Cowboys have won 64 percent of their home games in “The War.”
The football stadium has hosted the likes of Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Virginia since 2000. All of those teams are on the National level, according to UW Athletics.
On March 2, 2002, 16,089 fans watched the Cowboys triumph over Utah 57-56 for the Mountain West Conference Championship. That is 1,089 fans more than the seating capacity.
Basketball season is in the winter, so it makes sense that the venue is indoors. But the football stadium holds more fans and the weather is usually nice in the beginning of the season.
The basketball and the football teams are great and both battle every time they play at home or away. Both of these fan bases, team and venues have their highs and lows but which would a UW fan choose?
