University of North Alabama officials announce plans for new on-campus stadium

FLORENCE, Ala. (WAFF) - Leaders at the University of North Alabama announced plans for a new on-campus stadium on Friday.

The University of North Alabama Board of Trustees approved the multipurpose stadium project and approved next steps to design and plane the venue.

“As a member of the Board who voted to accept the ASUN Conference invitation and move to Division I athletics, it is certainly a milestone for us to be announcing this project,” President Pro Tempore of the Board, Will Trapp, said in a statement. “In many ways, our step up into this higher level of competition was a leap of faith. We held a collective belief that it would be beneficial to the University and the community, but we all knew at some point there would need to be greater investment in facilities if we were going to build on this move.”

The design phase of the project is expected to take 12-18 months, according to the university. Details will be released as they come available.

“This is an exciting and historic day for the University of North Alabama. The question of an on-campus stadium at UNA is not a new one, in fact, it’s been an active discussion for 50 years or about as long as we’ve been known as the University of Alabama,” UNA President Ken Kitts said.

According to sources, the on-campus, multi-purpose stadium will be located at the current UNA Football practice fields and Mike Lane baseball stadium. This is located off North Pine in Florence on the campus of UNA.

The expected capacity is 10,000 seats to increase the capacity in the future.

Football, baseball, and soccer are expected to play inside the multi-purpose stadium, along with potential concerts as well. Sources also said that the name of the new on-campus facility will be named Bank Independent Stadium.

“Communicating that vision in the community, having a philanthropic action to get us here today. So really it’s a culmination of long conversations that can become a reality. Conversations don’t lead to action unless they’re backing it, and that’s what happened here,” Athletic Director Josh Looney said.

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