The Rev. Rodney Kissinger, S.J., a tackle on Loyola’s last football team in 1939, recalled playing in the now-demolished Loyola Stadium in the Oct. 10, 2003, issue of The Maroon.

“When I was there, (behind) Bobet was an open practice field and toward Freret (Street) was the stadium,” Kissinger said. “On Freret itself was the field house and everything else.”

Kissinger continued, “The Loyola Stadium wasn’t too bad. It had about 35 or 40,000 seats and had a covered deck.” Kissinger said most games were played on Friday nights during his collegiate career.

Kissinger and the ’39 Wolfpack won the Dixie Conference title that year.

Probably the most decorated opponent Loyola faced in the stadium was the 1928 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Coached by Knute Rockne, considered by many to be the greatest college football coach of all-time, the Irish opened their season against the Wolfpack. The ‘Pack led 6-0 at halftime, but Rockne’s Irish subsequently overcame the deficit in the second half and won 12-6.

Ramon Vargas can be reached at [email protected].