Memorial Stadium

The Rock
Location	1001 East 17th Street Bloomington, Indiana 47408
Coordinates	39°10′51″N 86°31′32″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	49,225
Tenants
Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA) (1960-Present)

Memorial Stadium 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 presently holds 49,225 people. 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.

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 1986¹, 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. 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.²

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.³ The decision was made to remove and replace the entire field with a new FieldTurf playing surface. It is estimated the replacement will cost $410,000, all of which will be covered by insurance or FEMA funds. Work began on June 20 to tear up the damaged turf.

"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.

Expansion

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

In September 2006, Indiana University announced plans to expand Memorial Stadium. The north endzone will be enclosed. This will provide additional space for classrooms, a 24,000 sq. ft. weight/training room, a Hall of Fame, and expanded seating for football. The seating capacity will be around 53,500 after the completion of the expansion⁴. The expansion will be part of an overall $55 million expansion of several Indiana University athletic facilities.

Demolition of the North End Zone bleachers took place in January 2007⁵. This left capacity for the 2007 and 2008 seasons at 49,225 ⁶ . The foundation of the building was completed on November 27, 2007 and the anticipated completion date for the project is Feb 2009.⁷

References

1. ^ "The IU Experience". Indiana University (2005). Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
2. ^ "Facilities - Football". Indiana University (2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
3. ^ Sinkhole near south end zone | The Hoosier Scoop: Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball, Football, and more
4. ^ "H-T Sports Editor Doug Wilson & Sports Writer Chris Korman". The Herald-Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
5. ^ "Demolition of North End Zone Bleachers Kicks Off Facility Enhancement Plan". Indiana University (2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
6. ^ "Indiana University - Facilities". Indiana University (2008). Retrieved on 2008-07-19.
7. ^ "Indiana University North End Zone Facility". Indiana University (2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-17.

Coordinates: 39°10′51.22″N 86°31′32.24″W / 39.1808944, -86.5256222

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