Allen E. Paulson Stadium was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1984 with a 48‑11 rout of Liberty Baptist. The game was a fitting end to four years of planning and hard work ‑ four years of dreaming of one of the finest football facilities in America.
The phrase “The Prettiest Little Stadium in America” was coined by former head coach Erk Russell.
Constructed at a cost of $4.7 million, Paulson Stadium currently seats 18,000 spectators while permanent light fixtures were added prior to the 1994 season.
The stadium features a prescription athletic turf playing field designed to accommodate both soccer and football, special climate‑controlled VIP boxes with luxurious interiors, private restrooms and food service areas.
Prior to the start of the 2005 season, a brick façade was built along the walls of Paulson Stadium while the video scoreboard was also surrounded with a brick garden/façade.
Paulson Stadium reflects and enhances the growing importance of Georgia Southern University and Southeast Georgia ‑ an importance symbolized by the area's economic and educational impact on the state and nation.
The stadium is named for the late Allen E. Paulson, who donated more than $1 million toward construction of the facility.
PAULSON STADIUM FACTS
Layout: East‑West
Capacity: 18,000
Initial start date: First shovel ‑ 1983; Opening Game ‑ Sept. 29, 1984
Surface: Prescription Athletic Turf with special Tift Bermuda on a clay, sand and gravel base over an elaborate drainage system.
Miscellaneous: 26 private booster boxes, film deck and a 50‑seat working press area.
First Opponent: Liberty Baptist, Sept. 29, 1984
First Win: 48‑11 vs. Liberty Baptist, Sept. 29, 1984
First NCAA I-FCS Playoff Win: 27-0 vs. Jackson State, Nov. 30, 1985
First Loss: 35‑10 vs. Middle Tennessee State, Sept. 14, 1985
First NCAA I-FCS Playoff Loss: 24-17 vs. Furman, Dec. 15, 2001
All-Time Record (Through 2008 season): 149-28 (.842)
First Score: 36‑yard run by Tracy Ham vs. Liberty Baptist (13:44, 1st quarter)
First 100‑Yard Rusher: 104 by Melvin Bell vs. Liberty Baptist
First Shutout: 34‑0 vs. Tennessee Tech, Oct. 5, 1985
