Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Bragg Memorial Stadium 1500 Wahnish Way Tallahassee, FL 32310
Year Opened: 1957
Capacity: 19,633
Something to Bragg About
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is a public historically Black land-grant university (HBCU) in Tallahassee, Florida. It was founded in 1887 and is the third-largest HBCU in the country, with an enrollment of more than 10,000 students. The school offers 54 Bachelor’s degree programs, 29 Master’s programs, and 12 doctoral programs.
The Florida A&M football team is known as the Rattlers. The football program started early at the school, as it first fielded a team in 1907. The Rattlers are one of the most successful teams in HCBU (Historically Black College and Universities) football, as they have won 16 Black College National Football Championships, 29 SIAC titles, 8 MEAC titles, 1 SWAC title and one 1-AA National title. The team is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
The home of Rattlers football is the on-campus 19,633-seat Bragg Memorial Stadium. It opened in 1957 and is named for J.B. and Eugene Bragg, a father and son duo that served as head coaches for the Rattlers in the 1930s and 1940s. The field is named for Ken Riley, an All-American football player at Florida A&M, who went on to be a coach and athletic director for his alma mater. Riley was also a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.
This is the second incarnation of Bragg Stadium on the FAMU campus. Its short-lived predecessor opened in 1947 in a cow pasture near the campus. It did not even have restrooms, so fans had to use the facilities in a nearby dormitory.
Food and Beverage 5
Before you are even inside Bragg Stadium, you are likely to be full. That’s because more than 50 food tents set up business along Perry Street next door to Bragg Stadium before each home game. These vendors sell various foods, including BBQ, okra, chicken wings, pork chops, seafood, grits, ribs, turkey wings, frog legs, and cheesesteaks. Dessert items include cakes, cookies, ice cream, smoothies and pies.
If you are still hungry, Bragg Stadium has two concession stands along the concourses on each side of the Field. They all sell off the same menu, which includes a Brisket meal package (brisket, mac and cheese, cole-slaw, and cornbread). Individual items available include Brisket sandwiches, mac and cheese, hot dogs, nachos with cheese, boiled peanuts, potato salad, coleslaw, and pickled sausages.
Dessert items include candy, pickles, and chips. FAMU stands offer Pepsi brand sodas as well as fruit punch, lemonade, tea, and water. The stadium stands to accept both cash and credit cards.
Atmosphere 3
A major aspect of the atmosphere at HBCU football games is its marching band, and the Rattlers are no exception. The Florida A&M band is known as the Marching 100, and they play nonstop throughout the games. Many fans attend the games just because of the band, as their halftime performances are legendary. The band has performed at Olympic Games, Super Bowls, the Rose Parade, and presidential inaugurations.
Bragg Memorial Stadium has gone through several renovations in recent years to improve the fan experience. The seating bowl has been completely refurbished with new aluminum bench seating, a new press box has been built, and additional luxury suites and boxes have been added. A new electronics package, including the sound system and the video board, has been installed to better inform fans of the game statistics.
The on-field improvements include a new AstroTurf playing surface and a renovation of the Gallimore-Powell Field House behind the south end zone. This enhanced both the home and visiting team’s locker rooms, training areas, and coaches’ offices.
Neighborhood 4
The Florida A&M campus and Bragg Memorial Stadium are located just south of downtown Tallahassee and the Florida State government complex. Attractions near the stadium include the Railroad Square Arts District and the Florida Historic Capitol Museum. Two restaurants of note near the campus are E and J’s BBQ and Dick Mondell’s Burger and Fries. Proof Brewing Company is also nearby, with a large offering of craft beers. Several lodging options are near campus, including the Hotel Indigo Tallahassee Collegetown and the Hyatt House Tallahassee Capitol University.
Fans 4
The Rattlers have a strong fanbase made up of current students, alumni, and Tallahassee residents who have adopted the school as their own. They dress in the designated colors announced by the school for each home game at Bragg Stadium. The PA announcer at Bragg is more of a DJ than your typical stadium announcer, as he hypes up the crowd in addition to announcing game statistics.
New coach Willie Simmons pleased fans with a Celebration Bowl win and yet another Black College National Championship in his inaugural season of 2023.
Rattler fans always look forward to two featured ball games each season. The Florida Classic pits Florida A&M against Bethune-Cookman University, and the Orange Blossom Classic offers Jackson State University as the opposition. However, the 2024 game was the last game of this matchup due to conference realignment.
Access 3
Getting to a Rattler football game is relatively easy. Other than a few lots dedicated towards season ticket holders/major donors, most of the parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans arrive well before the kickoff to set up their tailgating feasts.
There are four sets of entry gates set aside for fans at Bragg Memorial Stadium. These gates open two hours before kickoff.
Return on Investment 3
There are two levels for single-game tickets at Bragg Stadium. General admission seating is available for $45, and reserved seats are $50.
Parking is available on campus for each home game. Parking on campus lots is available on a game-by-game basis for $22.95. The parking lot adjacent to Bragg Stadium is reserved for season ticket holders only.
As we have mentioned before, the concession prices inside Bragg Stadium are quite reasonable.
Extras 2
There are plans to build a 35,000-seat stadium elsewhere on the campus, but no starting date for this project has been announced. The stadium would feature three tiers of seating, 360-degree access to the concourse, and several luxury suites and lounge boxes.
Many elite players and coaches have been a part of the Rattler's heritage. Legendary coach Jake Gaither won multiple National Championships during his time with the teams. Star players for the Rattlers who went on to NFL glory include Gene Atkins, Ken Riley, Willie Galimore, Bob Hayes, and Nate Newton.
Final Thoughts
There was great anticipation before the game at Bragg Memorial Stadium, the historic home of the Florida A&M Rattlers. The roar of the crowd grew louder as the Rattlers took the field, their band providing a powerful soundtrack to the game. This venue is a great visit for sports fans.
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