Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium

Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium is a stadium in Platteville, Wisconsin, on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. The venue is home to the Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers football and soccer teams.

Pioneer Stadium

Aerial view of the stadium in 2024
Full name	Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium
Address	Platteville, Wisconsin United States
Public transit	Green   Orange  Platteville Public Transportation
Owner	UW Platteville
Operator	UW Platteville Athletics
Type	Stadium
Capacity	10,000
Surface	ProGrass artificial turf
Current use	Football Soccer
Opened	1972; 53 years ago (1972)
Tenants
Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers (NCAA) teams: football, soccer
Website
letsgopioneers.com//pioneer-stadium

History

Pioneer Stadium opened in 1972 and holds 10,000 people.^[1] It is the second largest stadium in Division III collegiate football,^[1] and the largest soccer stadium. From 1984 to 2001, the stadium and other university facilities were also used as the Chicago Bears' training camp home.^[2]

The stadium is named for Ralph Emerson Davis,^[1] a geologist and "godfather of the natural gas industry," who served as the director of the Wisconsin Mining School, which would eventually merge to form the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. Davis's generous donation helped complete the $1.25 million facilities.

In 2005, stadium renovations included replacing the grass surface with a Pro-Grass in-fill surface.^[1]

On June 16, 2014, the stadium was damaged by a tornado.^[2]