November 26, 2003

Kinnick Stadium Renovation • Home • Introduction • Project Participants • Program Statement • Master Plan Overview • Timing of Project Phases • Project Timeline and Major Milestones • Financial Plan • Artist Renderings • Frequently Asked Questions • Have a Question? • UI Foundation/The Kinnick Stadium Campaign • Make Your Gift Online Construction Packages • Stadium Rehabilitation/Stewardship • Revenue-Generating Facility • Stadium Surroundings Celebration of 75 Years • Herky on Parade • The Throwback Game • The Patch Program We Thought You'd Enjoy This • Cathedrals of College Football • How Iowa's Stadium Got Its Name • Stadium Was Built in Seven Months • Best Fourth Quarter Rally in Iowa History • South Stadium WebCam

As a NCAA Division I-A institution and a member of the Big Ten Conference, the University of Iowa Athletic Department maintains a top-notch collegiate football program.

The Hawkeye football team draws more than 400,000 fans, alumni and University of Iowa supporters to Kinnick Stadium each year. The football program and its athletes serve as a symbol for the University. Saturdays at Kinnick Stadium serve as an epicenter, not only for student life on campus, but also for many throughout the state.

As such, Kinnick Stadium itself must remain a facility that is safe and comfortable. And despite its age of 74 years, it must also create a place that makes the game day experience for visitors enjoyable while presenting our commitment to excellence to Hawkeye fans as well as the visitors from other schools.

    The mission statement for the University of Iowa Athletic Department reads:

The mission of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to provide the administrative and coaching support, facilities, resources and equipment necessary for student-athletes to graduate from the University of Iowa while participating in broad-based championship-caliber athletic competition. The overall well-being of the participant and the integrity of the program will be paramount in all that we do.

The University's commitment to providing opportunities for success to its student-athletes, regardless of the sport, rests predominantly with the largest and highest revenue-generating program: football. A Kinnick Stadium project that corrects the many long-standing deferred maintenance issues and addresses current facility shortcomings will ensure a long-term commitment to the success of our student-athletes and the financial stability of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Over the past decade the University has implemented increasingly significant maintenance procedures to ensure the ongoing function of Kinnick Stadium. These measures are quickly becoming more expensive and less effective. This is particularly true of the tubular steel and wood structure which comprises the south end zone seating complex. While still safe, the complex is becoming less serviceable each year and is approaching the end of its effective life. This complex seats nearly 15,000 Kinnick Stadium patrons and accounts for almost $3 million in revenue annually.

Additionally, many parts of the 74-year-old stadium are in need of refurbishment or updating. Kinnick Stadium is well below current standards for concession and rest room facilities and almost all of the stadium infrastructure is original. The cost to construct a new south end complex and to upgrade the required support facilities throughout the venue is far more than what Department revenues can assume.

The typical manner of funding for such renovations is through revenue bonds retired by the development of premium amenities, specifically private suites and club seating. To provide for such amenities, it is our plan to replace our outdated press box and construct a new modern facility. This facility combined with several smaller funding sources will generate the revenue to fund all phases of the project.

Our University believes that the renovation of historic Kinnick Stadium offers the best long-term option for supporting the multitude of constituent groups that have a stake in this venue. The plan is financially pragmatic, retains the traditions and ambience of a grand venue and state icon, and provides safe and comfortable access for millions of visitors to the University over the coming decades.

Robert A. Bowlsby
Director of Athletics

Want to see what the renovated Kinnick Stadium will look like? Click HERE.

For additional information about the renovation of historic Kinnick Stadium, contact the appropriate staff member.
The Renovation Project Jane Meyer Senior Associate Director of Athletics Jane-Meyer@uiowa.edu (319) 335-8874 Season and Single-Game Tickets/ Seat Assignments David Sandstrum Assistant Athletic Director for Ticket Operations David-Sandstrum@hawkeyesports.com (319) 335-9309 Other Rick Klatt Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs Rick-Klatt@uiowa.edu (319) 335-9431	Private Suites, Indoor Club Seats, Outdoor Club Seats, Private Gifts and Capital Campaign Mark Jennings Associate Athletics Director Mark-Jennings@hawkeyesports.com (319) 335-8903 Andy Piro Senior Director of Development Andy-Piro@uiowa.edu (319) 335-3305