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Memorial Stadium (Indiana University)

Coordinates: 39°10′51″N 86°31′32″W / 39.18083°N 86.52556°W / 39.18083; -86.52556
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Memorial Stadium
"The Rock"
Memorial Stadium in October 2024
Former namesSeventeenth Street Football Stadium (1960–1971)
Location701 East 17th Street
Bloomington, Indiana, US 47408
Coordinates39°10′51″N 86°31′32″W / 39.18083°N 86.52556°W / 39.18083; -86.52556
OwnerIndiana University Bloomington
OperatorIndiana University Bloomington
Capacity52,626 (2018–present)[1]

Former capacity

List
    • 52,929 (2010–2017)[2]
    • 52,692 (2009)
    • 49,225 (2007–2008)
    • 52,180 (2003–2006)
    • 52,324 (1969–2002)
    • 48,344 (1960–1968)
Record attendance56,223 (Indiana vs Purdue, November 12, 1969)
SurfaceFieldTurf (2008–present)
AstroPlay (2003–2007)
Natural grass (1960–1969, 1998–2002)
AstroTurf (1986–1997)
Artificial turf (1970–1985)
Construction
Broke groundAugust 27, 1958
OpenedOctober 8, 1960
Renovated2003, 2016
Expanded1969, 2009
Construction cost$4.569 million
($47 million in 2023 dollars[3])
ArchitectEggers & Higgins
General contractorHuber, Hunt & Nichols, Inc.[4]
Tenants
Indiana Hoosiers football (NCAA) (1960–present)
Website
iuhoosiers.com/memorial-stadium

Memorial Stadium is a stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, United States. It is primarily used for football, and has been the home of Indiana Hoosiers football since its opening in 1960. It is the 15th largest football stadium in the Big Ten Conference, with a capacity of 52,626.[1] The field has a conventional north-south alignment, at an approximate elevation of 771 feet (235 m) above sea level.

History

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The stadium officially opened in 1960 as part of a new athletics area at the university and replaced the original Memorial Stadium built in 1925 (a 20,000-seat stadium located on 10th Street in Indiana University's Arboretum). The current Memorial Stadium has been renovated or updated multiple times since the original construction. Improvements include 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.[5] In 2019, the $8.5 million Terry Tallen Indiana Football Complex opened, after J.C. Ripberger Construction Corp was able to finish the project in only 6 months, including an expanded and renovated locker room area, training room and sports lounge, to allow players to get acquainted with video games on 98" televisions.[6]

A 36-by-91-foot (11 by 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.[7]

Features

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Playing surface

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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 end zone,[8] 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"

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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. 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. The Rock was relocated to the East Concourse of Memorial Stadium before the 2024 season.[9]

USS Indiana Prow, mast, and guns

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The prow, mainmast, and two guns of the USS Indiana 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.[10]

North End Zone Development Center

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The stadium in October 2024

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.[11] This left capacity for the 2007 and 2008 seasons at 49,225.[12]

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.[2] 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.[13]

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.[14]

South End Zone Excellence Center

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The South End Zone Excellence Center, as seen from the north end of the stadium

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.[15] The project was confirmed in March 2016, and is expected to be completed for the 2018 season. The total cost is $53 million.[16] A new 20-by-68-foot (6.1 m × 20.7 m) video board was installed in the North End Zone for the 2017 season, with a 42-by-91.3-foot (12.8 m × 27.8 m) video board installed prior to the 2018 season, in the completed south end zone.[17]

Largest attendance

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Rank Attendance[18] Date Result
1 56,223 November 12, 1969 Indiana 21 – Purdue 44
2 53,202 November 17, 1979 Indiana 21 – Purdue 37
3 53,183 October 20, 1973 Indiana 7 – Ohio State 37
4 53,082 October 19, 2024 Indiana 56 – Nebraska 7
5 53,082 October 26, 2024 Indiana 31 – Washington 17
6 53,082 November 9, 2024 Indiana 20 – Michigan 15
7 53,082 November 30, 2024 Indiana 66 – Purdue 0
8 52,929 October 2, 2010 Indiana 35 – Michigan 42
9 52,929 October 3, 2015 Indiana 27 – Ohio State 34
10 52,929 August 31, 2017 Indiana 21 – Ohio State 49

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Memorial Stadium - Football". Indiana University.
  2. ^ a b Rabjohns, Jeff (July 28, 2009). "IU's Glass Wants Festive Football Atmosphere". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Bikoff, Ken (March 4, 2010). "A Place to Call Home". Rivals. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  5. ^ "Facilities – Football". Indiana University. 2007. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  6. ^ "Glass Details Investments in Indiana Football, Improvements to Game-Day Experience, and Excitement for Team and Program". Indiana University Athletics. Indiana University. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  7. ^ "IU Athletics to Enhance Football Game-Day Experience with High-Tech Scoreboard". Indiana University. July 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  8. ^ Sinkhole near south end zone | The Hoosier Scoop: Indiana University Hoosiers Basketball, Football, and more Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Gameday Upgrades to Memorial Stadium Underway". Indiana University Athletics. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  10. ^ "USS Indiana prow to be displayed at IU's Memorial Stadium, honoring WWII battleship: IU News Room: Indiana University".
  11. ^ "Demolition of North End Zone Bleachers Kicks Off Facility Enhancement Plan". Indiana University. January 4, 2007. Archived from the original on June 15, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  12. ^ "Indiana University – Facilities". Indiana University. 2008. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  13. ^ DiPinto, Pete (April 11, 2009). "Facility Upgrade Elevates IU Football". The News-Sentinel. Fort Wayne. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  14. ^ "Glass Brings Unique Perspective To Big Ten Football Media Day". Indiana University. July 28, 2009. Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
  15. ^ Osterman, Zach (June 17, 2016). "IU Football Stadium Enclosure Approved". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  16. ^ "South Endzone expansion". Indiana University. Oct 10, 2016. Retrieved Oct 27, 2018.
  17. ^ "Glass Meets with Media on Excellence Academy Construction, Fan Experience Enhancements, Security, Traffic and Parking, and Special Elements for Ohio State Game".
  18. ^ "Indiana Football 2024 Record Book" (PDF). Indiana University.
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