the stadium was designed by seattle architect george w. stoddard, also known for his work on the green lake aqua theater and the south stands of husky stadium. the stadium opened on september 26, 1947, during a "jamboree" featuring eight of the city's high school football teams. memorial stadium was dedicated later that year in memory of the seattle youth who gave their lives in world war ii. a memorial wall at the east end is inscribed with the names of over 700 fallen individuals. the following year, the stadium hosted first widespread local television broadcast in the puget sound region, the turkey day high school football game between west seattle and wenatchee.