ARCATA — What Humboldt State University fans have known for a long time is now supported by an independent blogger, who listed Redwood Bowl as No. 3 on a list of top NCAA Division II stadiums nationwide.

Balladeer's Blog, created and maintained by devoted college sports fan Ed Wozniak, chose HSU's facility because it is "a perfectly picturesque stadium for a team with an enjoyable off-beat nickname. The intimate feel of the Redwood Bowl is legendary in D2 football."

Wozniak says he launched his blog to cover sports, films, books and cultural topics that he feels don't get the attention they deserve. His career is in finance, but his passion for a variety of interests, including college sports, is clearly evident in his writing.

In an email message, Wozniak described the motivation behind his choices of the top stadiums.

"I decided to do my list of the Top Six Stadiums in DII because I'm bored with how characterless many of the stadiums in D1 football have gotten," he said. "I also am disappointed in the way many DII stadiums have gone with this look where they are really just a giant grandstand parked next to a football field. I like actual stadiums and went with the six that to me have embodied the best elements of DII football and got me hooked on it."

According to HSU Facilities Management, Redwood Bowl is the most heavily-used field on campus, employed by recreational sports programs, including intramurals, Kinesiology and other department classes, football team practice and games, commencement, special events and general student use.

The Redwood Bowl field is currently undergoing a much-needed resurfacing project that will address safety concerns caused by the heavy use. The project is partially funded through a grant secured from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, which fosters recycling, waste reduction, and product reuse.

Redwood Bowl has been the Lumberjacks' home venue since Sunday, Oct. 8, 1946, when the Lumberjacks hosted the Stanford University JV squad. Lights were installed the following year after local merchants complained of a downturn in Saturday afternoon business because of the crowd draw.

Prior to the construction of Redwood Bowl, Humboldt State played most of it's home games in Eureka's Albee Stadium. That changed when newly appointed Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Joseph Forbes arrived in Arcata during the summer of 1946.

“Correspondence assured me that Redwood Bowl would be ready for the football season and this was my introduction to state policy in construction, as the field was not even planted until June,” Forbes said in his “Athletic History of Humboldt State College.” In September, the bleachers were constructed by students under the direction of the local carpenter's union and redwood bark was placed over the rocks on the track to prevent injury to football players.

Balladeer's blog can be found at http://glitternight.com/2011/07/17/the-top-six-college-football-stadiums-in-ncaa-division-2/.