FSU

Top Taggart Field


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A Game at Top Taggart 

Top Taggart Field has served as home for the Ferris State football team since 1957.

Officially dedicated in October 1978, the stadium is centrally located on the FSU campus and features a current seating capacity of 6,200. Permanent lighting makes it possible for night games, which are popular with the Bulldog faithful during the early part of the season.

The facility also has been used extensively by individuals outside the University community as Top Taggart Field has hosted numerous athletic events on the high school level.

In recent years, the facility has underwent a multi-phase renovation and construction project. In 2001, the Wheeler Pavilion was constructed, named in honor of alumnus John Wheeler and his wife, Chris. The three-story building, which is located on the stadium's west side, features a clubroom level, a media/game management level, a ticket office, remodeled and expanded restrooms along with a remodeled, expanded and covered concession area.

The project also involved upgrading the main entrance, improving site landscaping, adding 250 center section seats and a new lighting system.

In the summer of 2008, a new top of the line Mondo Ecofill artificial playing surface was installed as part of a one-million dollar project. Additionally, a video board was added to the south end of the stadium in 2014.

The facility underwent its latest upgrade in 2015 as a new eight-lane, 400-meter polyurethane surface with aluminum curbing was installed. 

The field is named in honor of W.C. "Top" Taggart. As a child, his own family circle affixed the name "Top." The name become synonymous with Taggart and inevitably "Top" became a symbol of affection and respect held for him by everyone.

A Big Rapids native and a former Bulldog star halfback, Taggart became Ferris' first official varsity football coach, beginning with the 1912 season. His contributions to Ferris and Big Rapids go much further. Taggart served on the Ferris Board of Control from 1931-50, including five years as its chairman, and was a long-time benefactor of Ferris in countless ways. As a businessman, he was a pioneer in the natural gas development and production industry, and was president of the Taggart Company in Big Rapids.

He passed away in 1968, but not before Ferris officials recognized him in October, 1957, during dedication ceremonies of the University's football facility. Taggart was inducted into the Ferris State Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.

Top 10 Top Taggart Field Crowds
 
  Attendance Opponent Date Result
1. 12,545 Saginaw Valley State 10/4/75 L 28-31
2. 12,500 Hillsdale 10/15/83 L 14-27
3. 12,000 Findlay 10/30/71 W 28-13
4. 11,970 Wayne State 10/18/80 W 17-14
5. 11,500 Hillsdale 10/17/81 L 17-20
6. 10,750 Alma 9/28/80 W 24-16
7. 10,560 Hillsdale 10/14/78 W 14-3
8. 10,500 Central State (Ohio) 9/17/83 L 32-48
9. 10,239 Hillsdale 10/13/79 W 19-0
10. 8,426 Grand Valley State 8/24/04 L 6-24

 

Address:
Top Taggart field
1215 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307