Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field

GPS Address: 100 Stadium Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185

Home to William & Mary’s football and track & field programs, venerable Zable Stadium underwent a tremendous transformation with the completion of a $28 million renovation in August 2016.

Made possible because of a $10 million gift in from the estate of the late Walter J. Zable ’37, LL.D. ’78 and two $6 million gifts, one from Hunter J. Smith ’51 and the other from James W. ‘62, J.D. ‘64, LL.D. ‘00 and Frances G. McGlothlin ’66, the renovated stadium, which combined with the $11 million Jimmye Laycock Football Center, gives W&M some of the finest football facilities at the FCS level.

Highlighting the many upgrades and improvements are a new upper deck, suites and a fully equipped press box. The overall design features Flemish bond brickwork, slate roofs and gables creating aesthetic continuity with the west and north ends of campus.

The renovation also included the addition of a new playing surface - FieldTurf Revolution 360. The state-of-the-art playing surface is completely fiber and features optimal durability, resilience and feel. Revolution 360 was subjected to Penn State University’s Sports Surface Research Center’s aggressive 150,000 cycle Lisport Wear Testing and received a perfect 10 - 10 “good”, NO “hair-splitting”, NO “fractured”, NO “complete splitting” - a result that has yet to be matched by competing turf fibers.

Directions to Zable Stadium:

From The North/West: Take I-64 East to Lightfoot Exit 234 (Route 199 East). At top of exit ramp, take a right onto Route 199 East. Stay on 199 East until Monticello Avenue exit. Exit at Monticello Avenue, bear left on exit ramp. At bottom of ramp, turn left at light onto Monticello (pass under 199). Continue on Monticello through five stoplights. At the sixth light, turn right onto Richmond Road. Continue on Richmond Road until the first stop light. Take a right at the light into the Zable parking lot.

From the South/East: Take I-64 West to Exit 242A (Route 199 West). Follow 199 to fourth light. Take a right onto Jamestown Road. Follow Jamestown Road approximately two miles until reaching a 4-way intersection. Turn to the extreme left onto Richmond Road. Continue on Richmond Road until the first stoplight. Take a left into the Zable parking lot.

History

Walter and Betty Zable, classes of 1937 and 1940 respectively, made a commitment of $10 million to the Campaign for the Fourth Century in the fall of 1990.

In appreciation of this large gift, W&M's Board of Visitors approved the naming of the football stadium at Cary Field the Walter J. Zable Stadium. A formal dedication was held Nov. 3, 1990, prior to kickoff of that season's 38-28 homecoming victory against Furman.

A three-year letterwinner for the Tribe's football team (1934-36), Zable is more than familiar with college athletics. He also lettered in baseball, basketball and track, and was an honorable mention All-American on the gridiron. After graduation, Zable enjoyed a professional football career with the Richmond Arrows and the New York Giants.

Besides being named to Sports Illustrated's Silver Anniversary All-America team, he was a National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame Gold Medal recipient in 1980, and received the "Teddy" Award from the NCAA in 1987, which is presented annually to a distinguished citizen of national reputation and outstanding accomplishment who has earned a varsity award in college.

Constructed in 1935 at a cost of $138,395, Zable Stadium at Cary Field has been home to a winning tradition. The first contest there ended in a 0-0 deadlock with state rival Virginia in the 1935 season opener.

Zable Stadium was financed by a grant for construction through the Public Works Administration during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. Improvements in the past decade have boosted Zable Stadium's capacity to 11,646. However, in the 1985 Homecoming victory against Richmond, a record crowd of 18,054 packed the stadium and grounds.

Quick Facts
As of May 1, 2025

Official Name
Walter J. Zable Stadium at Cary Field

Seasons
89, Opened in 1935

Original Cost
$138,395 - Financed by a grant through the Public Works Administration

Capacity
11,646

Surface
FieldTurf Revolution 360

First Game
Sept. 21, 1935 vs. Virginia (Tied, 0-0)

First Win
Oct. 19, 1935 vs. Guilford (44-0)

First Playoff Game
Nov. 29, 1986 vs. Delaware (Lost, 51-17)

First Playoff Win
Nov. 24, 1990 vs. UMass (Won, 38-0)

All-Time Record
250-140-6 (.639)

W&M vs. Yankee/A-10/CAA
74-50 (.597)

Largest Crowds
Estimated 19,000 vs. UNC on Nov. 5, 1949; 18,054 vs. Richmond on Nov. 16, 1985

Longest Winning Streak
14, 11/23/91-10/15/94

Largest Margin of Victory
61, 61-0 vs. GW, 1942; 61-0, vs. Ft. McLelland, 1946

Largest Margin of Defeat
49, 55-6 vs. West Virginia on Nov. 15, 1958

Single-Season Attendance Records (current seating arrangement - 1997)
11,014 - 2011
10,782 - 2010
10,700 - 2007
10,645 - 2006
10,269 - 2009
10,268 - 2023