Memorial Stadium (Indiana)

Memorial Stadium
"The Rock"
Former names Seventeenth Street Football Stadium (1960–1971)
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
Owner Indiana University Bloomington
Operator Indiana University Bloomington
Capacity 52,929 (2010–present)[1]
52,692 (2009)
49,225 (2007–2008)
52,180 (2003–2006)
52,324 (1969–2002)
48,344 (1960–1968)
Record attendance 56,223 (November 12, 1969 vs Purdue)
Surface FieldTurf (2008–present)
AstroPlay (2003–2007)
Natural grass (1998–2002)
AstroTurf (1986–1997)
Artificial turf (1970–1985)
Natural grass (1960–1969)
Construction
Broke ground August 27, 1958
Opened October 8, 1960
Renovated 2003
Expanded 1969, 2009, 2016
Construction cost $4,563,000
($36.9 million in 2016 dollars[2])
Architect Eggers & Higgins
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 52,929. It replaced the original Memorial Stadium, built in 1925, a 20,000-seat stadium located on 10th Street where the arboretum now stands.

History

The stadium has been renovated or updated multiple times since the original construction, including the replacement of the original wooden seats with aluminum bleachers, installation of sound and lighting systems, and major structural overhauls.

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 his wife Julie and philanthropist Ted Derheimer.[3]

A 36 x 91-foot (28 m) HD scoreboard from Daktronics was added to the South End Zone for the 2010 season (which is the 29th largest collegiate scoreboard in the country), along with a state-of-the-art sound system.[4]

Features

Playing surface

The field at the stadium was originally natural grass, but this was replaced in 1970 with artificial turf, which was updated to AstroTurf in 1986. The AstroTurf was replaced with grass in 1998, but the field soon reverted to an artificial surface (AstroPlay) in 2003. Heavy rains in June 2008 severely damaged the field, washing away the gravel substrate, and creating a large sinkhole in the south endzone,[5] which led to the installation of a FieldTurf surface. A new FieldTurf Revolution 360 playing surface was installed prior to the 2016 season.

"Hep's Rock"

Hep's 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 (a tradition that continues today). Terry Hoeppner died of brain cancer on June 19, 2007, and The Rock (renamed "Hep's Rock" during a ceremony with the Hoeppner family on November 6, 2010) now serves as motivation for the team as well as a tribute to Hoeppner's influence on the football program.

USS Indiana

The prow, mainmast, and two guns of the USS Indiana (BB-58) are erected at the western entrance of the stadium. The battleship saw extensive service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, taking part in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Marianas campaign, and the Battle of Iwo Jima and earning nine battle stars.[6]

North End Zone Complex

In September 2006, Indiana University announced plans to expand Memorial Stadium and enclose the north end zone. Demolition of the North End Zone bleachers took place in January 2007.[7] This left capacity for the 2007 and 2008 seasons at 49,225.[8]

The expansion provides additional space for classrooms, a 25,000 sq ft (2,300 m2) weight/training room, a Hall of Fame, and expanded seating for football, raising the stadium's seating capacity to 52,692.[1] 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.[9]

Indiana Athletic Director Fred Glass announced in July 2009 $3 million of additional renovations to the stadium for the 2009 season, including a new "retro" North End Zone scoreboard, 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.[10]

South End Zone Complex

Indiana University Athletic Director Fred Glass said on October 9, 2014 that a project to enclose the south end of Memorial Stadium is being planned at an estimated cost of $10 million. The project will include: a new rehabilitation and treatment facility for athletes, additional academic and life skills support facilities, a "multi-use" outdoor terrace on the roof of the structure, an entry plaza and green space at the south end of the stadium and a new 40-by-70-foot video board to be placed in the renovated south end zone area. The north end zone will get a 20-by-60-foot video board.[11] The project was confirmed in March 2016, and is expected to be completed for the 2018 season. The total cost is $50 million.[12]

South Endzone Construction - April 13, 2017
South Endzone - July 8, 2017

Attendance

Year Highest Attendance Total Yearly Attendance Average Attendance% of Capacity
2008 Sept. 20 vs Ball State - 41,349 254,255 31,781 64.5%
2009 Oct. 3 vs Ohio State - 51,500 250,997 41,832[13] 79.3%
2010 Oct. 2 vs Michigan - 52,929 251,718 41,953 79.3%
2011 Oct. 1 vs Penn State - 42,621 248,282 41,380 78.2%
2012 Oct. 13 vs Ohio State - 48,880 268,813 44,802 84.6%
2013 Sep. 21 vs Missouri - 49,149 354,823 44,353 83.8%
2014 Oct. 18 vs Michigan State - 44,403 249,941 41,657 78.7%
2015 Oct. 1 vs Ohio State - 52,929 310,195 44,314 83.7%
2016 Oct. 15 vs Nebraska - 48,254 301,190 43,027 81.3%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Rabjohns, Jeff (July 28, 2009). "IU's Glass Wants Festive Football Atmosphere". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  2. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Facilities – Football". Indiana University. 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  4. ↑ "IU Athletics to Enhance Football Game-Day Experience with High-Tech Scoreboard". Indiana University. July 21, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  5. ↑ Sinkhole near south end zone | The Hoosier Scoop: Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball, Football, and more
  6. ↑ http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news-archive/24350.html
  7. ↑ "Demolition of North End Zone Bleachers Kicks Off Facility Enhancement Plan". Indiana University. January 4, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Indiana University – Facilities". Indiana University. 2008. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  9. ↑ DiPinto, Pete (April 11, 2009). "Facility Upgrade Elevates IU Football". Fort Wayne News Sentinel. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Glass Brings Unique Perspective To Big Ten Football Media Day". Indiana University. July 28, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  11. ↑ "South Endzone expansion - Details". IndyStar.com. June 17, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  12. ↑ "South Endzone expansion". Indiana University. March 6, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Big Ten Football - 2009 Attendance" (PDF). BigTen.org. 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
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