FLORENCE – On June 29, 1973, Florence State University President Dr. Robert Guillot told the Board of Trustees that the Alumni Association was seeking to raise $1 million for an on-campus stadium that would seat 20,300 people.
On June 9, 2023, the University of North Alabama announced plans for that on-campus stadium.
Today at 4:30 p.m., UNA will break ground on Bank Independent Stadium at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex on Pine Street.
In 2019, after a university stadium workgroup report, UNA President Kenneth Kitts said, “Our students, inclusive of those in the marching band, on our sports teams, and on our spirit squads, deserve a place to call their own. They deserve a place to call home.”
That home is one step closer.
“The groundbreaking is an incredible accomplishment given our timeline and ambitious fundraising goals,” said UNA Athletics Director Dr. Josh Looney. “This event is the result of work by numerous individuals and campus partners and was guided by the ad hoc committee staying on track in achieving and advancing critical project milestones.”
The multipurpose stadium is being designed for year-round use by the university and the Shoals community. The venue will redevelop the campus space that is currently home to the UNA turf field, Mike D. Lane Field, and a grass practice field, incorporating UNA’s football, baseball, and soccer teams into the reimagined design.
“We are thrilled to partner with the University of North Alabama for the groundbreaking of Bank Independent Stadium!” bank officials shared in a social media post announcing the exclusive first look.
In addition to athletics, Bank Independent Stadium will also enrich the local area with concerts as well as other academic and community events.
The new facility will serve as the home for the North Alabama Lions football team, which has played at Braly Municipal Stadium, an off-campus stadium owned by Florence City Schools, for more than 70 years.
After the today’s ceremony, the program will shift into Flowers Hall for the first-look experience and a reception at 5 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will get a BI Stadium commemorative cup. Fans are asked to dress in UNA gear.
If you are unable to make it to the ceremony, you can watch live on ESPN+ at this link: tinyurl.com/BIStadiumESPN.
Birmingham-based program management firm HPM is the program manager for the new stadium and will also provide owner’s representation and preconstruction services. Davis Architects is the architect of record. Project completion is targeted for the 2026-27 academic year.
For more information on Bank Independent Stadium, click here.
