South River QB Ricky Kurtz tries to avoid a sack from South Plainfield’s Jason Greer on August 28, 2023, as fans watch from the now-demolished Denny Stadium bleachers. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
After nearly 90 years of fans packing into its wooden bleachers, and several renovations and attempts to keep the place standing, demolition began Tuesday on South River’s historic Bill Denny Stadium, home to many great Rams football teams over the decades since it opened in 1934.
Central Jersey Sports Radio stopped by to see the demolition first hand; our photo gallery is below:
The September 20, 1934 edition of New Brunswick’s Daily Home News heralds the opening and dedication of Bill Denny Stadium on September 22nd. While the Rams played that day, rain postponed the official dedication ceremony weeks later. (Source: Newspapers.com) 
South River and South Plainfield do battle on August 28, 2021 at Bill Denny Stadium (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River head coach Rich Marchesi on the sidelines during a game against South Plainfield on August 28, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River cheerleaders pep up the crowd at a game against South Plainfield on August 28, 2021. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River QB Ricky Kurtz drops back against South Plainfield, with the Denny Stadium bleachers and press box towering in the background. After the bottom half of the sign, which read “Ram Country” was vandalized, the district painted over the word “Country” and simply left “Ram.” (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River QB Ricky Kurtz tries to avoid a sack from South Plainfield’s Jason Greer on August 28, 2023, as fans watch from the now-demolished Denny Stadium bleachers. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River fans watch their Rams play South Plainfield on August 28, 2021 from the Denny Stadium bleachers. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
Bill Denny Stadium as it appeared in April, 2023, already closed to the public, though the track and grass field remained open. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
Denny Stadium’s grandstand is closed in April, 2023, due to safety concerns. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
The underside of Bill Denny Stadium, built in 1934, is made entirely of wood. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
A backhoe eats at Bill Denny Stadium on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
The view from the Denny Stadium Parking lot as the venue is demolished on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
The demolition of South River’s Bill Denny Stadium on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
Demolition of South River’s Bill Denny Stadium on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
A sign that at one time honored legendary South River Ram Joe Theisman sits among the rubble in the demolition of Bill Denny Stadium on December 26, 2023. Newer versions were taken down from the facade several years ago and put in storage. These apparently remained below the stadium. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)(Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River football coach Rich Marchesi – the winningest coach in program history – watches the demolition of historic Denny Stadium on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River football coach Rich Marchesi is interviewed by Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Marcus Borden as the demolition of Denny Stadium continues in the background on Decemmber 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
South River head coach Rich Marchesi (middle) flanked by his sons Michael and Matthew with the half-demolished Bill Denny Stadium in the background. (Photo: Marcus Borden) 
Demolition of South River’s Bill Denny Stadium as seen from near the end zone on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
A backhoe dumps what appears to be a lawn tractor into a dumpster during the demoltion of Bill Denny Stadium on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
Bill Denny Stadium – nearly half demolished – as seen from David Street on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko) 
The press box of Bill Denny Stadium is knocked down by a backhoe on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Marcus Borden) 
The press box at Bill Denny Stadium in South River tumbles after being knocked down by a backhoe during demolition on December 26, 2023. (Photo: Marcus Borden)
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