Name: Fred Spiegelberg Stadium, known as Medford Stadium until 1983, is the longtime home field for Medford high school football teams. The stadium is named after Medford High Black Tornado football coach, and
Oregon Sports Hall of Famer, Fred Spiegelberg, who led the Black Tornado to 253 wins and four state titles in 31 years as coach. In 1971, he was named National Coach of the Year.
Building Facts: The first grandstand at the stadium was constructed in September 1936 at a cost of only $1,497. Prior to 1936, Medford High School games were held at the dirt field at McLoughlin Junior High School. Lights for night games were added in 1937.
From 1936 to 2003, the stadium featured a natural grass surface. In 1989, an all-weather track was installed and in 2004, the track was re-surfaced and FieldTurf, a synthetic surface, replaced the grass field, dramatically improving the ability of the stadium to host many events throughout the year.
Current capacity of the stadium is 9,250 seats with covered grandstands on both the east and west sides of the field.
Campus History: The stadium is located on the campus of the former Medford High School (1931-1966), Medford Mid High (1966-1986) and South Medford High School (1986-2010). An alternative school for high risk youth called "Central Medford High" now uses the old high school building but does not field a football team.
In 1966, the city opened a new two-year "Medford Senior High School" for 11th and 12th graders on the north side of town. The football team, retaining the name "Black Tornado" benefited from continuing to have access to the entire city's junior and senior populations, contributing to the program's continued success. Meanwhile, 9th and 10th graders attended school at this campus, known as "Medford Mid High" (mascot was the "Marauders" with a maroon & white color scheme.) In 1986, the city renovated the Mid High campus and opened the new "South Medford High School" for 9th through 12th grade students. A vote of the student body chose "Panthers" as the mascot, winning over the sentimental-favorite "Tigers," a nickname that had been used at Medford High prior to the late 1940s. The former "Medford Senior High" was renamed "North Medford High School," retaining the Black Tornado mascot and also serving grades 9 through 12.
In 2010, South Medford High School moved to a new campus, but both North and South High schools continue to play their home games at Fred Speigelberg Stadium. St. Mary's, a Catholic School that competes at the Class 2A level, also calls Speigelberg Stadium home, playing games on Saturdays to avoid scheduling conflicts with the larger schools.
Track & Field: In addition to football, the stadium hosted important people and events in track & field history. Surrounding the football field is the blue-colored Newland Track, named after legendary coach Bob Newland who led the Black Tornado to nine track & field state championships over a 10-year period ending in 1957. Dick Fosbury, originator of the Fosbury Flop that revolutionized high jumping, graduated from Medford High and competed on the Newland Track.
Bill Bowerman coached football and track at Medford High in the 1930s, later gaining international fame as the University of Oregon and U.S. Olympic track coach, and as founder of Nike. Bowerman designed a discus cage that is still in use at the track.