Steubenville Big Red's home battleground: Harding Stadium @ Reno Saccoccia Field...AKA Death Valley. Established 1930. The House that Punque Built has remained one of the finest stadiums in the land, and showcases the phenomenon that is BIG RED FOOTBALL. Tens of thousands flock to Death Valley to watch their beloved Big Red take on foes from various cities in Ohio and points beyond. The ghosts of the gridiron return every fall to inspire the Big Red of today, and to remind them of the deep tradition that they are carrying.

1952 Calvin Jones Way, Steubenville, Ohio, 43952

Field House
Indoor Facility
Practice Field
Pressbox
Scoreboard
Seating Chart
Stadium Pictures
Weight Room

 

 

Big Red's all-time record in Death Valley is 565 victories,

150 defeats, and 11 ties,

for an average winning percentage of 78%.

 

 


Reno Saccoccia Field @ Harding Stadium (Death Valley) TIMELINE:


* 1928: Construction approved by BOE, started in 1929 & completed in 1930 at a cost of $45,000.

*1929: Originally had natural grass playing surface with a cindered track.

* 1929: Original seating capacity was 4,800.

* 1930: Dedicated on September 26th, 1930 with a 39-0 victory over Pittsburgh Oliver.

* 1930: First TD scored in Harding Stadium was by George "Puck" Burgwin on a 12 yard run in the 1st quarter, and he also added the first PAT. Burgwin would tally 182 yards on the day.

* 1930: First night game was on October 10th, 1930 with a 45-0 victory over Columbus Central....that game was among the first ever night games played in the Buckeye State.

* 1931: National Rushing Record set in 1931's 68-0 victory over Massillon as Big Red rushed for 734 yards on the cool fall evening.

* 1940: Bleachers added to boost totals to near 6,000.

* 1942's 76-7 victory over Dayton Stivers marked the most points Big Red has ever scored in Death Valley.

* 1946: Original scoreboard built.

* 1948: New lighting added by the Big Red Booster Club which increased illumination by 50%

* 1956's 66 points by the Canton McKinley Bulldogs marked the most points that a visitor has ever scored in Harding Stadium.

* 1965: Expanded in 1966 for All American Conference play to present capacity of 10,000.

* 1970: World famous "Man O' War", the fire-breathing horse made his appearance.

* 1977: Computer graphics/message board , debuted during Cincinnati St. Xavier game of 1977, was first of its kind in high school football.

*1977: First Ohio high school stadium to have "miked" referees.

* 1993: New pressbox built.

* 1997: New video replay scoreboard built.

*1997: New sound system installed.

* 1999: New in-ground irrigation system installed.

* 2001: New lighting system installed.

*2002: New fencing installed.

* 2002: New lower concession stand/restrooms and general renovations completed.

* 2003: New upper concession stand/restrooms and new home-side light standards completed.

* 2004: ProGrass synthetic field turf installed.

* 2004: Daktronics Video Board installed.

* 2007: Reno Field added to official name of stadium.

* 2009: Upgraded Surround Sound Sytem.

* 2010: New West Endzone stands.

*2011: New Varsity digital scoreboard.

*2011: Play clocks.

*2012: Replaced old turf with new AstroTurf field turf.

*2012:: Upgraded lighting.

*2013: Expansion of the Abe Bryan Press Box.

*2015: Daktronics video scoreboard and play clocks.

*2015: Full remodel of scoreboard structure.

*2016: Renovation of home stands, visitor endzone, new LED lighting, and new visitor locker room. Present actual number of seats is 7,112.

*2018: Calvin Jones statue with brick walkway, and new wrought iron fencing with brick pillars.

*2019: Visitor seating renovated.

*2020: Visitor restrooms complete.

*2021: 3rd generation of turf installed.