Hancock Stadium is a 13,391-seat

multi-purpose stadium A multi-purpose stadium is a type of stadium designed to be easily used by multiple types of events. While any stadium could potentially host more than one type of sport or event, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy tha ...

Normal, Illinois Normal is a town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town's population was 52,736. Normal is the smaller of two principal municipalities of the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area, and Illinois' seventh most ...

. It opened in 1963. It is home to the

Illinois State University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public university in Normal, Illinois. Founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University, it is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching and is recognized as one of th ...

Redbirds football team as well as University High School. Central Catholic High School also played its games there through the 2004 season.

History

Opened in 1963 and named after

Illinois State Illinois State University (ISU) is a public university in Normal, Illinois. Founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University, it is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching and is recognized as one of th ...

's former athletic director Dr. Howard Hancock. In 1969, Hancock Stadium became

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

' first college stadium that featured

artificial turf Artificial turf is a surface of synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commer ...

as its playing surface. The artificial turf was replaced most recently in 2010 and a new scoreboard was installed. For many years, Hancock Stadium was the home of the Illinois High School football championships. The games moved in 1999.

Renovation

In 2000 the Kaufman Football Building was opened. This facility is now the home to the players and coaches. In recent years, Redbird football has enjoyed a resurgence of spirit and success, all bringing attention to the ailing facility. Under the leadership of

athletic director An athletic director (commonly "athletics director" or "AD") is an administrator at many American clubs or institutions, such as colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and ...

(Gary Friedman) and

university president A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system. In most Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth and former Commonwealth n ...

(Dr. Al Bowman), plans detailing the Hancock Stadium Stadium

renovations Renovation (also called remodeling) is the process of improving broken, damaged, or outdated structures. Renovations are typically done on either commercial or residential buildings. Additionally, renovation can refer to making something new, ...

were unveiled in 2013. The plans boast upgrades to the design of the new east-side grandstand, bleacher-back seating on the entire new east-side grandstand, wide and spacious concourse, entirely new concession and restroom facilities, premium seating options, including 500+ chairback club seats, 5,500 sq. ft, indoor club accessible to club seat holders and 7 suites, state-of-the-art press level above the indoor club, Redbird Team Store, where fans can purchase ISU gear, a brand new ticket office to improve the fan experience on game days, and a new sound system and scoreboard (if funding allows). Newly renovated Hancock Stadium's capacity is 13,391 The estimated cost of the Hancock Stadium renovation is $20 million. In the summer of 2011, the south bleachers of the stadium were removed to potentially start the first phase of renovations. Also fiberglass bleachers are a thing of the past, as new metal bleachers were installed on the west side of Hancock Stadium in August 2011.

Future Plans

The design of the new east-side grandstand takes into account possible future growth and expansion.

References

External links

Hancock Stadium - Illinois State AthleticsZenger, Bowman have big plans for Hancock
{{Illinois college football venues College football venues Illinois State Redbirds football Sports venues in Bloomington–Normal Minor League Football Association venues Sports venues completed in 1963 American football venues in Illinois Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States 1963 establishments in Illinois

History

Renovation

Future Plans

See also

References

External links