Caniglia Field at 75 Exhibit Opens

Caniglia Field at 75, 1949-2024 is now on display in Criss Library’s Archives and Special Collections. The exhibit uses photos, documents, and memorabilia to showcase the uses of the field and stadium over the decades.

The university’s football teams played on a variety of fields across Omaha before the new campus stadium hosted its first game on October 1, 1949. Visitors can track the evolution of the field as lights were installed for night games, natural grass was replaced with artificial turf, running tracks were renovated for track and field, the field transitioned to a soccer pitch, and other changes.

Caniglia Field has also hosted fundraising walks, marching bands, flaming batons, intramural sports, graduation ceremonies, and other events. The display opens with then-neighbor Henry Doorly inquiring about the university’s plans to expand and potentially build a stadium and closes with the 2024 Union Omaha match. Featured are selected artifacts from the throughout the field’s history including signed footballs, a football helmet, a marching band hat, a soccer scarf, and others.

The exhibit is on display in Archives and Special Collections, located on the first floor of Criss Library, and is open to the public during normal Library hours from through January 9, 2025. The exhibit was curated by Amy Schindler, Director of Archives and Special Collections.