Arizona State University has raised $45.3 million toward renovations and upgrades to Sun Devil Stadium, with the first round of improvements set to debut Saturday.
The extreme makeover was divided into three parts, with Phase I of the project was completed this week in time for the Sun Devils’ home opener against Cal Poly on Saturday. It will feature additional concessions, additional restrooms, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act ) compliant seating and upgraded amenities like Wi-Fi that will eventually be incorporated into the entire stadium as the second and third phases are completed.
The new, 6,500-seat student section at the south end features permanent seating that closes in the lower bowl in one contiguous circle. The new section provides more intimate interaction with the team as it exits and enters the Tillman Tunnel.
The Sun Devil Stadium fundraising was initiated by the university without the use of tuition money or taxpayer money. One year into that initiative, Sun Devil Athletics is more than halfway to its goal of $85 million in private donations and income from premium suites and seating.
“The fact of the matter is, we’re in an environment where public funds for what some people think might be luxury — you’re just not going to get it in this day and time,” Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson said in a press statement. “In order to do it you go out and essentially pay for it yourself.”
Sun Devil Stadium opened in 1958 (the photo above is from Homecoming 1961).