Do you know the name of our sports stadium? Are you aware that Stamford High School is home to one of the most renowned stadiums in Connecticut? Are you also aware that you, as a Black Knight, can call home a stadium that has witnessed victories in over 20 state championships?
For those of you who might be less than savvy regarding Stamford High’s famous sporting ground, don’t worry. The Round Table has you covered.
Named after one of the winningest football coaches ever in the city of Stamford, Michael A. Boyle Stadium has been through it all. Constructed during the heart of the Great Depression, the stadium proved to be a gem that lifted the spirits of those suffering from the economic downturn of the 1930s. It has seen tremendous victories, heart-breaking losses, and has been home to some of the best athleticism and coaching in the city of Stamford.
Michael A. Boyle is remembered as the best football coach Stamford has ever seen. In fact, during his 31 years as head coach of Stamford High School’s football team, he earned a respectable record of 229 wins, 14 ties, and 40 losses. Some refer to the greatest era of high school football in the country as the years between 1911 and 1920, in which Boyle’s teams racked up a total of 83 wins and 4 losses. Boyle’s .803 career winning percentage and dedication as a Black Knight earned him a renowned stadium named in his honor.
The original layout for the now iconic facility consisted of more than just a football field. Architects’ designs for the stadium included regulation football and baseball fields, an oval-shaped quarter-mile running track with a 220-yard straightaway, pole vaulting and jumping pits, and two beautifully crafted stone and concrete stands that have held avid Black Knight supporters since their construction.
Boyle Stadium celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2007, and in ceremonial fashion, unveiled a tribute to some of its most influential and successful Black Knight athletes. The Boyle Stadium Wall of Honor recognizes championship teams and stellar individuals who have made the greatest contributions to their teams’ success on the field of Boyle Stadium, the most famous of which include National Football League Hall of Famer and seven time Pro-Bowler Andy Robustelli. Also recognized on the wall are legendary football head coach John Sagan and Stamford High’s own Robert (Bobby) Augustyn.
From its beautifully crafted stonework to its signature pathway of commemorative bricks, Stamford High School’s Boyle Stadium continues to stand as one of the city’s greatest architectural and athletic achievements. Believe it or not, our stadium has been home to some of the most influential athletes and coaches in local and even professional sports. So next time you’re doing a lap around the track in gym class or attending a Black Knight football game, take a moment. Look around you. Breathe it in, and admire the fact that you are a Black Knight, and call home one of the most beautiful stadiums in Connecticut.
