Construction of Hancock Whitney Stadium is on budget and on time, putting the new University of South Alabama facility in line for a 2020 debut.
Work is underway on Hancock Whitney Stadium, the upcoming home of South Alabama football. After playing at Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium since its 2009 inaugural season, the football program is expected to open the new on-campus stadium with a September 12, 2020 game against Grambling State.
In a radio interview Wednesday on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, South Alabama athletic director Joel Erdmann gave an update on the facility’s progress. Construction is proceeding on time and on budget, leaving the university confident that Hancock Whitney Stadium will open as planned. Additionally, he noted the benefits that the student body will receive from having an on-campus stadium. His comments, via AL.com:
Erdmann said Wednesday the construction of the 25,000-seat stadium is “on budget and on time.”
“We’re pointing for and feel confident we’re going to be good for ’20,” Erdmann said.
In addition, while Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa appears to be cutting out a proposed large student terrace from its renovation, per an AL.com report on Tuesday, South Alabama has made it a point to make the students one of the focal points when designing its stadium.
“To start off, the stadium is within a one- or two-minute walk from 4,500 students,” Erdmann said. “We wanted them to literally wake up game-day morning, look out the window and see the stadium and hear the music to start their game-day festivities.”
Plans for Hancock Whitney Stadium call for 25,000 seats and six hospitality areas. Naming rights for the stadium were purchased by banking corporation Hancock Whitney, part of a 10-year agreement announced in January.
Rendering courtesy University of South Alabama athletics.
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