Construction on a notable NCAA football stadium project for 2020 is making progress, as the University of South Alabama continues work on Hancock Whitney Stadium.
South Alabama has spent several years planning the new on-campus facility, replacing Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium as its football program’s home. With the opening game set for September 12 against Grambling State, the university is just months away from the debut of Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Leading up to that date, construction on the 25,000-seat stadium is moving along. There is plenty of work to be done between now and when the college football season begins to complete the facility, but South Alabama athletic department officials are sensing anticipation for a stadium that should not only provide a modern home for its football program, but can also serve as a venue that draws other events to the campus. More from FOX10TV.com:
“A lot of anticipation, but also a lot of great understanding that there’s work to be done,” said Athletic Director Joel Erdmann….
“For being where we are ahead of schedule,” Erdmann said. “We hope we can reach into a new set of customers and fans to get them out to see this.”
Erdmann says they are looking to bring concerts and outdoor events to the venue.
They have also had conversations about moving the bowl games to the stadium, but nothing is set in stone.
South Alabama football has played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium since the program’s launch in 2009. In planning for the new stadium, South Alabama has not only sought a facility that can offer its program a home that is modern—Ladd-Peebles Stadium opened in 1948—but one that is on-campus. Hancock Whitney Stadium’s location on the west side of campus will allow for a certain synergy with existing football facilities, as it will be next to the Jaguar Training Center, Football Fieldhouse, and football practice fields.
Hancock Whitney Stadium is slated to feature 12 private suites, along with 42 four-seat loges, over 600 club seats, and a lounge on its west sideline, along with a mix of chairback, bench back, and bleacher seating. Additionally, a Michelob Ultra-branded terrace in the south end zone will offer walk-up drink rails, with middle sections pitched for group events. The space is also adaptable to non-football events, as it can be converted to large-scale concert staging. Naming rights to the stadium were purchased by banking corporation Hancock Whitney, part of a 10-year agreement with the university that was announced last January.
Rendering courtesy University of South Alabama.
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