Architectural rendering of planned Hancock Stadium renovation, front view.  Image courtesy of Illinois State university.

NORMAL — For the first time since it opened on the Illinois State University campus in 1961, Hancock Stadium will undergo a major renovation.

Illinois State University’s Board of Trustees recently approved the $25 million Hancock Stadium capital project and the associated sale of bonds.

Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects of Indianapolis, Ind., designed the renovations and improvements of Hancock Stadium that will be financed through the capital project.
As part of the project, a new east-side grandstand with brick columns and glass walls will be constructed. The grandstand will include conveniences for modern press and game operations as well as a club room that will include catering facilities and suite seating. The club room will be large enough to host events on non-game days.
“We are really excited about the possibilities surrounding our club room,” said Marianne Riddell, ISU Assistant to the Director of Athletics/Coordinator of Special Events. “This space, with glass overlooking the Illinois State campus and Hancock Stadium, will provide a unique venue for large functions in the Bloomington-Normal area. This space will be ideal for private parties, wedding receptions, office meetings and the likes.”
Also part of the project, the existing eastside bleachers will be demolished and replaced with aluminum bleachers that will be added to accommodate approximately 7,500 spectators. A chair-back club seating area will be located in the eastside bleacher area, adjacent to the club space.
A new eastside concourse will multiple ticketing areas, concession stands, retail space and restrooms will be constructed to serve the eastside bleacher area. The new concourse will connect with the south end zone sidewalk to create an east-to-west pathway.
“With the suites, indoor club, chair-back seating, restroom facilities and concession stands, Hancock Stadium is really going to elevate the fan experience at our football games,” said Riddell.
The current press box that is located on the west side of the stadium will be remodeled to provide space for coaching staffs for the home and visiting teams.

Architectural rendering of planned Hancock Stadium renovation, field view.  Image courtesy of Illinois State University.

The project will begin this summer with the demolition of the existing eastside bleachers. 

During the 2012 football season, no seating will be available on the east side of the stadium. Approximately 7,200 seats will be available on the west and south ends of the stadium, during the 2012 football season.
The renovations and improvements of Hancock Stadium will be complete in time for the 2013 football season. When the project is complete, seating capacity at Hancock Stadium will total 14,675, approximately 5,000 more seats than the stadium’s current seating capacity.
The Illinois High School Association is considering moving either four of its eight football title games or all eight of those games to Hancock Stadium in 2013. Hancock Stadium hosted the IHSA football championship games until 1999 when they were moved to Memorial Stadium on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign. Because of the anticipated expansion of the Big Ten Conference, a Division I college athletic conference, Memorial Stadium won’t be available for the IHSA football championship games every year.
IHSA is expected to make a decision on a new site for its football championship games in June. They are still accepting bids from proposed sites.
“The IHSA is going to select a site based on a bid process and we will have our proposal at the table,” said Riddell.
Funding for the project will come from private contributions, ISU general funds and auxiliary facility revenue bonds, which will be paid for by the allocation of existing student fee revenues.
Student fees will not increase to fund the project.
The cost of general admissions seats at Hancock Stadium is expected to remain the same.