Ferry Field
CONSTRUCTED: 1906
RENOVATED: 1914, 1921, 1924, 1927-28
FIRST EVENTS:
Football: Oct. 6, 1906 (U-M 28, Case 0)
Men's Track: May 18, 1917 (U-M 104 1/3, Ohio State 57 2/3)
Located north of Ray Fisher Stadium and adjacent to the Intramural Building, Ferry Field served as the site of outdoor track and field activity for Michigan until the new indoor and outdoor facilities opened in 2018 as part of the Stephen M. Ross Athletic Campus South Complex.
In 2006, Ferry Field celebrated its 100th anniversary. Bearing the name of Detroit businessman and U-M supporter Dexter M. Ferry, the head of Ferry Seed Company, Ferry Field was constructed in 1906 and initially served as the home field for Michigan football teams from 1906-26. Following the 1926 season, the U-M football team moved up the road to Michigan Stadium and the old stadium began to come down as the north bleachers made way for the new Intramural Sports Building. The playing field was devoted exclusively to track and field, except for use as a military training ground during World War II and as the site of many graduation ceremonies.
Ferry Field has a permanent place in track and field history. As a collegian at Ohio State University, Jesse Owens set three world records and tied another as a sophomore at the 1935 Big Ten Conference Championships held at the University of Michigan's facility. A time chronology of Owens' feat shows he tied the 100-yard dash record (9.4) at 2:45 p.m.; set the broad jump record (26-8 1/4) at 3:25 p.m.; established the 220-yard dash record (20.3) at 3:34 p.m.; and at 4 p.m. set the 220-yard low hurdles record (22.6). Described as the greatest day in track and field history, Owens' accomplishment is commemorated by a plaque at the southeast corner of Ferry Field.
Address and Directions
Ferry Field 1150 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Google Directions/Map
From Detroit Metro Airport and points east: Take I-94 west to State Street (exit 177). Turn right. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through two stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot. The Indoor Track Building is located at the west end of the parking lot (past Ray Fisher baseball stadium). Ferry Field is located north of Ray Fisher Baseball Stadium and south of the Intramural Sports Building.
From Chicago and points west: Take I-94 east to State Street (exit 177). Turn left. Travel north approximately 2 1/4 miles through three stoplights. Turn left just past Yost Ice Arena into parking lot. The Indoor Track Building is located at the west end of the parking lot (past Ray Fisher Baseball Stadium). Ferry Field is located north of Ray Fisher Baseball Stadium and south of the Intramural Sports Building.
From Toledo and points south: Take U.S. 23 north to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.
From Flint and points north: Take U.S. 23 south to I-94 west. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.
