Banta Bowl Collection

Collection

Identifier: LU-RG08-008

Staff Only

This collection is comprised of materials documenting the history of Banta Bowl, the site of Lawrence University football games and other athletic events. The Lawrence Bowl was built in 1965 and renamed Banta Bowl in 1978. Correspondence, newspaper clippings, programs, and photographs are included in the collection.

Dates

1962-2016

Creator

Lawrence University (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights and copyright reside with Lawrence University. For uses beyond those allowed for fair use under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.), please contact the University Archivist.

Extent

0.60 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

Banta Bowl was built in 1965 and initially called the Lawrence Bowl. The dedication of the new structure took place on October 2, 1965, was the largest Lawrence gathering of the year, and brought several former Lawrence presidents back to Lawrence. The site was a gift of an anonymous donor, and the stadium contained 5,400 seats. The stadium was sunk in the ravine just east of Whiting Field. The Bowl cost $35,000 to complete and was rededicated in 1978 as the Banta Bowl, named in honor of its donor, George Banta, Junior. Banta served as a member and chairman of the Lawrence Board of Trustees from 1930 until his death in 1977. He was also chairman and president of the board of the Banta Publishing Company of Menasha. The Banta Bowl continues to be the location of Lawrence football games and other athletic events. A major renovation was completed in 2015.

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject and type of material, then chronologically at the file level.

Method of Acquisition

Materials on Banta Bowl were collected and placed in the Archives vertical file prior to 2005. The donor and source of the materials, as well as who collected them and arranged them in the vertical file is unknown.