Ideal Memorial Stadium Upgrades According to Hoosier Huddle Staff and IU Students
/Written by Ethan Roberts
With the recent reveal that IU Athletics hired a firm to help modernize the stadium, the Hoosier Huddle staff and a few IU students gave their opinion on what aspects of the stadium needs to be modernized for a more enjoyable experience in the fall.
Memorial Stadium has underwent an extensive overhaul over the last 15 years that has seen the closing in of both ends of the stadium, a new Jumbotron, LED lights and new turf, but we wanted to ask what else would be on people’s wish list.
Sammy Jacobs was the first Hoosier Huddle member to chime in on potential stadium upgrades.
“The first thing I would do is brighten up the concourses because the orange lights make it look like a garage,” Jacobs said. “Secondly, make it easier to buy concessions and souvenirs. The third thing I would do is put in handrails (I know it’s not exciting, but it’s helpful). I also believe that creating any new or improved revenue streams from premium seats is great for IU. As far as gameday experience, I would love to see IU close off the oval around the stadium and make it a walking tailgate with food trucks, carnival games, beer gardens and music. It would create an atmosphere close to the stadium that is lively and desirable.”
TJ Inman had a different angle to improve IU’s program as whole.
“I think a major football program’s primary goal needs to be doing whatever it can to attract talent that helps win games,” Inman said. “The best way to attract talent now is through a robust NIL program. My hope is the modernization of Memorial Stadium will focus on the best ways to increase revenue. Improving the concessions experience, modernizing the concourse and perhaps most importantly, catering to potential big-money donors with premium seating options, which could hopefully raise the revenue that IU needs to compete in an expanding Big Ten.”
Hoosier Huddle contributor Alex Compton added that he would likes”the idea of the flowers in the south endzone gaps, ties it to campus and makes it look complete.”
He also mentioned that he would like to see a larger score board in the North End Zone and to have the gap in the South End Zone scoreboard fixed.
Compton also brought up the idea of re-arranging the student and band seating and creating a tunnel for the players to run through.
“The student section should be on both sides of the north end zone in addition to where it is now. Make that area branded/ carved out like a “supporter wall” in European soccer. You could then add cabanas or party decks for students to hang out in the stadium during breaks instead of hanging out in the parking lots after halftime.” Compton said.
An IU student described an infrastructure problem that can be solved with the modernization of the stadium.
“Metal bench seating is uncomfortable seating when the times of games are lasting three to four hours nowadays,” he said. “By halftime, there are people that are distracted by things like uncomfortable seating, weather and overcrowding. It’s hard to justify the increase in ticket pricing when the seating experience remains the same.”
Another IU student described the poor cell phone reception that needs to be rectified.
“When the game is in commercial timeout and someone wants to check the score of other games, phones will never load in certain parts of the stadium. Texts won’t send either. There needs to be at least acceptable internet in a modern stadium.”
The IU Athletics department is releasing a survey to ask students, investors and others for their opinion on what needs to be changed at Memorial Stadium to feel more modernized. These topics include concourse upgrades, new social gathering spaces, upgraded concessions and restrooms and premium seating options.
Readers are encouraged to put their thoughts in the comments section.