Foreman Field capacity figured; other seating questions remain

NORFOLK

After months of analysis and assessment, Old Dominion has finally arrived at a seating capacity figure for Foreman Field: 19,782.

The 73-year-old structure is undergoing a major facelift in preparation for the start of Division I-AA football this September. Original estimates had seating capacity around 21,000, but as construction continued there was some fear the stadium might end up holding only about 17,000.

School officials were pleasantly surprised at the final tally.

"The real issue was counting seats in the north end zone," associate athletic director Debbie White said. "Once we were able to figure that out, the number was a little higher than some had anticipated."

ODU will rank No. 2 among Colonial Athletic Association schools. Only Delaware, which plays in a 22,000-seat venue, will be bigger. Nationally among Division I-AA schools, ODU will rank 26th.

Yet to be determined is how the 19,782 seats will be doled out. The Monarchs have received slightly more than 11,500 season-ticket orders at this point, and the deadline for applying for season tickets is May 15.

Among other questions ODU still has, How many of the seats will be allotted for season tickets?

How many will go to students - and where will they sit? How many single-game tickets will be available to the general public?