Stadium on target for UNA opener Sept. 19
FLORENCE — Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium continues to take shape and major physical elements will be added in the next three months.
University of North Alabama Athletic Director Josh Looney said during a Thursday stadium tour construction remains on schedule for the Sept. 19 home opener against Alcorn State.
As of now, some key dates coming up include installation of video board panels and chairback seats starting May 19; work on the north end zone berm beginning in June; and laying down the turf starting July 20, construction officials said.
Fite Building Company began construction on the $53.367 million stadium in June 2024. The 10,000-seat stadium will house UNA football games and soccer matches.
The adjoining Mike D. Lane Baseball Field has already been completed, and the team has been playing home games there this season.
“There’s a milestone that happens, it seems like every week,” Looney said. “Every important milestone that Fite has had, they’ve been able to hit so far.”
UNA fans, alumni and officials have wanted an on-campus stadium for decades. The football team currently plays at Braly Stadium, which is home of the Florence High School Falcons.
“It’s a generational project for this community,” Looney said.
“It’s something that will change the landscape in sports and entertainment in this university.”
He said the excitement is translating into ticket sales.
“We sold out of suites before we ever broke ground of this project,” Looney said. “We had to add five new container suites around the concourse, pushing us to 18. The stadium club physical seats sold out within seven days of our priority point seating. We’re nearing a sellout on club passes as well, before we even get to the general public ticket sales.”
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED/DAN BUSEY
Construction continues at Bank Independent Stadium at the University of North Alabama campus in Florence.
Season ticket sales begin June 1, at $100 each, Looney said. Those costs increase for club level rates with the price depending on the type of level.
Mike Ezekiel, assistant athletic director for communications, said the stadium is designed with fan experience in mind. “Bank independent Stadium is going to have a universal 360-view,” Ezekiel said. “You can walk around the entire stadium and you can watch it from the end zone to the middle of the field. You can walk around and get any view that you’d like. To have the Marching Pride right there in the end zone and student section greeting our team as we go through the tunnel, it’s going to be special. So many people have made this come to life from the administration to the community.”
The front entrance is from Pine Street and leads to a full view of the stadium.
Those using the VIP access near the main entrance will be greeted with an area that pays tribute to UNA winning three straight Division II national championships from 1993 to 1995.
The student section will be in an area of bleachers on the south side of the stadium, next to the Marching Pride band, which will be in the southeastern corner. A tiered berm will be on the north side of the stadium. The remaining seats will be purple chairbacks.
A tailgating area for alumni is behind the berm.
The two-level press box is on the Pine Street side of the stadium and includes the club level, patio space and president’s box. The patio will be open air at all times.
Fite Building Company workers are busy completing the home side stadium club box seats for the $53.367 million stadium.
“We think it’ll be the most popular place on game day,” Looney said.
The first level also features an indoor club space, which Looney said will be available for events throughout the year.
“We see this space being used for so much,” he said. “We anticipate this being the most used multipurpose facility on campus.”
Two rows of chairback seats in front and a third row of bar-type seating behind the two rows are in front of the suites on the press box side.
Media, radio and coaches’ booths also are in the press box.
From Pine Street, there is a view of the weight room and a tower that will light up in celebration of UNA victories.
