From 1930 to 1940 Old Dominion fielded a football team. During those 11 seasons Old Dominion played on Foreman Field and had an overall record of 42-36-4. In 1940 the team went 0-6 for the season and the program came to an end for various reasons.
On February 9, 2007 Old Dominion announced they had hired Bobby Wilder to be head coach. In 2009 Old Dominion ran back onto Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium for the first time in 68 years and ended the first season back with a record of 9-2.
In the last 10 seasons, under the coaching of Bobby Wilder, Old Dominion has a record of 72-36 including two FCS Division I playoff appearances and a trip to the Bahamas Bowl where they defeated Eastern Michigan 24-20.
During the 2013 season Old Dominion had a record high game where they scored 76 points against Howard University the final score being 76-19. But that wasn’t the biggest win in either points or pride. Earlier this season, Old Dominion defeated 13th rank Virginia Tech in a stunning 49-35 victory.
During all the years Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium has been the backdrop to Old Dominion football and its 20,000+ seats has stood tall through the ups and downs.
On November 17th Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium hosted the final home game of the 2018 season as well as the last game to be played at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Old Dominion faced off against VMI, defeating them 77-14 setting a new points scoring record.
Old Dominion quarterback Blake LaRussa went 15-20 for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior running back Jeremy Cox carried the ball 13 time for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns and freshman running back Matt Geiger had 17 carries for 91 yards and 3 touchdowns.
After the game players and fans stood on the field as a video about the history of Foreman Field played on the video board. At the end of the video, in dramatic fashion, the lights were shut off for the final time. After a fireworks display, in just as dramatic fashion, the lights for the new stadium were turned on.
Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, which has stood since 1936, will be demolitioned over the next year and a brand new stadium will be built in its place. Construction on the new stadium will be completed before the first home game of the 2019 season.
Here are a few photos from the final game played at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Enjoy.
