Since becoming the University of North Alabama’s athletic director in 2021, Dr. Josh Looney has heard a common question.
That question is, “When are you going to build a stadium?”
Today, at the Florence campus, Looney and other members of the UNA family, including President Dr. Kenneth Kitts, answered that question.
“It feels great to say today publicly that that time is now. The time is now for the University of North Alabama,” said Looney. “Our trustees have approved us to move into the design stage of this project and approved our name with our partner Bank Independent. Over the past 18 months or so we have actively and strategically communicated an athletic vision and a community experience to re imagine this site right here that would include an on campus stadium.”
Looney also said that the new stadium, Bank Independent Stadium, will “elevate” the entire school.
“This vision would not only move our football program forward and not only elevate women’s soccer and Lion baseball and UNA Athletics as a whole, but it’s one that would continue to raise the entire profile of this institution at our incredible university. In many ways these same conversations have happened for the last fifty years, but the time is now.”
In a unanimous vote Friday, UNA’s Board of Trustees has approved an on-campus, multipurpose stadium project, to be named Bank Independent Stadium, and authorized next steps for the venue’s design and planning process.
Visit https://t.co/ofgrFDIMM2 to learn more! #BIStadium pic.twitter.com/1XJ6mQM0OA
— University of North Alabama (@north_alabama) June 9, 2023
Kitts, spoke about the support that the university received in its drive to open a new stadium and also thanked those who have played a part in the process.
“Alumni friends and community partners didn’t just offer encouragement, they pledged support, gifts, and they engaged in so many different ways,” he said. “The overall level of support has been absolutely unprecedented and it has exceeded all our expectations. I can state plainly that it is philanthropy that brings us here today.”
“As president, I want to extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of the UNA family to all of those who have stepped up to help us and to many others who will now join the effort as we move into this public phase.”
With Friday’s vote by the Board of Trustees, Bank Independent Stadium will enter the design phase, which is anticipated to take approximately 12-18 months. UNA will enter into an agreement with a sports construction firm to formalize the project scope, design, and financial strategy.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
