Today marks the Patriots 30th anniversary in Foxborough, Mass.
On April 4, 1970, the organization announced its move to the town after playing 10 years in Boston. The official ground-breaking for a new stadium, which was later named Schaefer Stadium, was held five months later on Sept. 23, and the park was opened nearly one year later.
Then known as the Boston Patriots, the team played its 1970 home games at Harvard Stadium while Schaefer Stadium was built. The Patriots played on four different fields in four years before settling in Foxboro. In 1968, Fenway Park was its home, then the team moved to Boston College's Alumni Stadium in 1969. Harvard Stadium was the fill-in location in 1970, and finally Foxborough was ready to house the Patriots in 1971.
The team's move brought with it a name change. On March 22, 1971, the Boston Patriots officially became the New England Patriots. The Patriots debut at Schaefer Stadium came in a preseason exhibition game, as Gino Cappelletti kicked a 36-yard field goal for the first points on the way to a 20-14 win over the New York Giants in front of 60,423 fans.
The stadium saw two name changes throughout the years. On May 23, 1983, Schaefer Stadium was renamed Sullivan Stadium in honor of team founder William H. "Billy" Sullivan. The current name of Foxboro Stadium was instituted in 1990.
