M . M . Roberts Stadium M . M . Roberts Stadium is an American football stadium located in Hattiesburg , Mississippi . It is the home of The University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles football team . The stadium was originally opened on October 29 , 1932 as " Faulkner Field " , with a wooden grandstand which held 4 , 000 spectators at the time . It was named for local businessman L . E . Faulkner , who financed the materials and equipment for the stadium , which was built for free by local unemployed workers during the Great Depression . In 1938 , permanent concrete stands which also housed dormitory space for student - athletes were built on the east side of the field , with the help of Southern Miss football players hauling the concrete . It was from this that the stadium received the nickname " The Rock " ( in reference to prison work crews - - none of which were used to build the stadium ) . The stadium was expanded again in 1950 , when the 7 , 500 - seat West Stadium Dormitory stands were built for $ 350 , 000 . Later , 2 , 000 bleacher seats were added , as well as new lights ( the stadium had lights as early as 1934 ) and a new scoreboard . By the end of this expansion , the stadium sat 15 , 000 . In 1976 , the stadium was rebuilt , with two sets of double - decked grandstands on either side for $ 6 . 3 million . The stadium was renamed for M . M . Roberts , an alumnus of then - Mississippi College and member of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning . He is credited for helping to build the school up to its current university status , the largest such school in Mississippi south of Jackson . However , the playing surface is still known as Faulkner Field . It was opened on September 25 , 1976 with a loss at the hands of in - state rival Ole Miss . In 1989 , the current press box was added . Other improvements to the stadium include the Southern Miss Athletic Center , a field house and athletics training facility opened in 2002 in the north end zone , new lighting poles , new south stands that are being added , as well as the new Momentum Turf field added in 2004 . The playing field at Roberts Stadium underwent a name change in the 2004 summer when it was renamed Carlisle - Faulkner Field at M . M . Roberts Stadium in honor of entrepreneur , Southern Miss graduate and Golden Eagle supporter , Gene Carlisle , who provided outstanding support and contribution to the Athletics Department and the University - much of which went to the installation of a new playing surface - Momentum Turf by Sportexe . In 2008 , the university opened an addition to the stadium that encloses the south end zone , adding nearly 4000 seats and 33 specialty suites . The expansion included luxury boxes as well as a new scoreboard in the North Endzone and premium seating and a club level on the east side of the stadium . The World Renowned " Pride of Mississippi " Marching Band now sits in the new expansion in the south end zone . On September 5 , 2009 , the attendance record of 36 , 232 was set in the 2009 season opener against Alcorn State . The stadium has seen many great Southern Miss players throughout its years , including Derrick Nix , Sammy Winder , Tyrone Nix , Reggie Collier , Hall of Fame punter and kicker Ray Guy , and quarterback Brett Favre