Memorial Stadium (Indiana)

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Memorial Stadium

"The Rock"
Location	1001 East 17th Street Bloomington, Indiana 47408
Coordinates	39°10′51″N 86°31′32″W / 39.18083°N 86.52556°W / 39.18083; -86.52556Coordinates: 39°10′51″N 86°31′32″W / 39.18083°N 86.52556°W / 39.18083; -86.52556
Broke ground	August 27, 1958
Opened	October 8, 1960
Owner	Indiana University Bloomington
Operator	Indiana University Bloomington
Surface	FieldTurf
Construction cost	US$4.56 million
Architect	Eggers & Higgins
Capacity	52,692 [1]
Tenants
Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA) (1960-present)

Memorial Stadium (also known as The Rock) is a stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Indiana Hoosiers. The stadium opened in 1960 as part of a new athletics area at the university and currently has a capacity of 52,692. The stadium is similar in structure to venues at Wake Forest (BB&T Field) and Virginia Tech (Lane Stadium). It replaced the "old" Memorial Stadium, built in 1925, a 20,000 seat stadium located on 10th Street where the arboretum now stands.

[edit] History

There have been many renovations since the original construction, including installing artificial turf in 1970, the replacement of wooden seats with aluminum, installation of sound and lighting systems, and laying of a new AstroTurf surface in 1986^[2], which was subsequently replaced with natural grass in 1998. Prior to the 2003 season, that natural grass was removed and replaced with a synthetic surface (AstroPlay).

On June 1, 2003 a $3.5 million renovation of the Memorial Stadium press box was completed, which also added 300 indoor club seats and 9 suites. In the summer of 2003 the Hoosier locker room in Memorial Stadium underwent a $250,000 renovation. The facelift to the original 1986 facility included renovating and modernizing the existing space with new carpeting, lighting and a new bulkhead ceiling along with the installation of custom-built oak wood lockers for 105 football players. The renovation was funded in large part by former Hoosier quarterback Trent Green and his wife Julie.^[3]

Heavy rains in June 2008 damaged the stadium's AstroPlay field, washing away the gravel substrate and creating a large sinkhole in the south endzone.^[4] The decision was made to remove and replace the entire field with a new FieldTurf playing surface. The estimated replacement cost was $410,000, all of which was be covered by insurance or FEMA funds. Work began on June 20 to tear up the damaged turf, and was completed in time for the Drum Corps International World Championships in August 2008.

[edit] Expansion

Artist's rendering of Memorial Stadium once renovations are completed.

In September 2006, Indiana University announced plans to expand Memorial Stadium and enclose the north endzone. Demolition of the North End Zone bleachers took place in January 2007^[5]. This left capacity for the 2007 and 2008 seasons at 49,225 ^[6].

The expansion provides additional space for classrooms, a 25,000 sq. ft. weight/training room, a Hall of Fame, and expanded seating for football, raising the stadium's seating capacity to 52,692.^[7] The expansion is part of an overall $55 million expansion of several Indiana University athletic facilities. The project was completed as scheduled in August 2009, and was ready for the Hoosiers when they opened against Eastern Kentucky on September 3, 2009.^[8]

Indiana Athletic Director Fred Glass announced in July 2009 $3 million dollars of additional renovations to the stadium for the 2009 season, including a new "retro" North End Zone scoreboard, a state of the art sound system, a "Knothole Park" kids area in the south end zone, upgrades to the press box, repainting walkways, renovated concession stands, additional ticket booths, and new fencing around the stadium. ^[9]

[edit] "The Rock"

In 2005, head football coach Terry Hoeppner had a southern Indiana limestone boulder nicknamed "The Rock" installed in the north end zone as a new campus tradition. This limestone boulder was found prior to Hoeppner's first season at IU in the practice field. It was removed, put on a granite slab and moved to the stadium. The Hoosiers and coach Hoeppner walked out and touched the Rock before running onto the field at every home game during Hoeppner's time as head coach. Terry Hoeppner died of brain cancer on June 19, 2007 and The Rock now serves as motivation for the team as well as a tribute to Hoeppner's influence on the football program.

[edit] References

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