Who We Are
Changes Underway at Ladd
Ladd-Peebles is currently being transferred from the City of Mobile to the Mobile County Public School System. The information on this website will be updated when the closing documents are finalized.
Thank you for your support and interest. We look forward to continuing to serve the Mobile community with sports and entertainment events!
Upgrades Begin At the Stadium!
First up is new turf!
Plans are underway for a host of improvements! Stay tuned and watch the progress as it develops!
Out with the old, in with the new! New look, new era at Ladd!
CJ Drinkard, Stadium Manager
CJ Drinkard is the Stadium Manager for Ladd-Peebles Sports and Entertainment Complex. He brings an amazing work experience background and high energy to Ladd. His goal is to see the Mobile community involved with a variety of events at Ladd-Peebles throughout the year making this event venue an economic driver for the City. He oversees all events, logistics, maintenance, and construction of the facility, in addition to its marketing and outreach.
Original Art Collection Displayed
Internationally recognized and award-winning local artist Sadie Roberts painted the original art displayed on the pages of this website. She is forever linked to artistically capturing football greats like Joe Namath, Bo Jackson, and Lee Roy Jordan in addition to other famous athletes from our area. She has been commissioned by many including the well-known Steven Seagal for which she painted a montage portrait. The entirety of her mural collection found on this website can be viewed in the rotunda of the Ladd-Peebles Sports and Entertainment Complex Lobby.
Our History
Ladd-Peebles has a rich history of sports and entertainment dating back to 1948. Such national celebrities as Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett, Mobile’s own Wet Willie, The Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels, and Ed Sullivan have entertained guests at the outdoor stadium.
The inaugural event for Ladd was October 2, 1948, when the University of Alabama tied Vanderbilt University in the first football game at Ladd-Peebles. Paul “Bear” Bryant coached his first game as head football coach of the University of Alabama at the complex against LSU. The Auburn Tigers played eight games at Ladd-Peebles from 1948 to 1955 against such opponents as Clemson, Florida, and Ole Miss. The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles have played 19 times at the stadium beginning in 1950 and more recently when they defeated Ohio University in 2007 in the GMAC Bowl.
Professional football has also been a part of the stadium’s history as eight AFL and NFL exhibition games were held at Ladd-Peebles from 1955-1967 with such Hall of Fame greats as George Blanda, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Doak Walker and Don Maynard.
In 1974, Alabama State University hosted Florida A&M in the first ever Gulf Coast Classic at the stadium, an annual HBCU event held at the stadium for over 35 years.
The stadium has also been host to hundreds of high school football games over the years, and continues to serve as the home facility for four Mobile high schools—Murphy, Williamson, Davidson and LeFlore. Some “Friday Night Legends” who have displayed their talents during games at Ladd-Peebles include Ken Stabler, Paul Crane, Robert Brazile, Scott Hunter, Richard Todd, Willie Anderson, Julio Jones, and Nick Fairley.
The stadium has also been host to the University of South Alabama Jaguar football games as well as the Senior Bowl game for almost 70 years with such legendary stars as Terry Bradshaw, Joe Namath, Frank Gifford, Mean Joe Greene, Ozzie Newsome, Bo Jackson and Brett Favre.
Ladd-Peebles has a rich history as a legendary sports and entertainment complex for over 70 years and is the largest outdoor facility on the Gulf Coast from Tallahassee, Fla. to New Orleans, La.