Jack Trice Stadium

Jack Trice Stadium
Name	Jack Trice Stadium
Location	Ames, Iowa
Broke ground	1972
Opened	1975
Renovated	2015, 2019
Expanded	1997, 2000, 2007, 2011
Owner	Iowa State University
Operator	Iowa State University
Surface	FieldTurf
Construction cost	$5.1 million (original)
Architect	HNTB
Former names	Cyclone Stadium (1975–1997)
Seating capacity	61,500
Tenants	Iowa State Cyclones football (NCAA) (1975–present)

Jack Trice Stadium is the home venue for the Iowa State Cyclones football program of Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa. Opened in 1975 as Cyclone Stadium, it was renamed in 1997 to honor Jack Trice, the university's first African American athlete and a tragic figure in its history. The stadium has undergone numerous expansions and renovations, evolving from a modest facility into one of the largest venues in the Big 12 Conference.

History

The stadium's construction was initiated to replace the aging Clyde Williams Field, with the groundbreaking ceremony occurring in 1972. The inaugural game was played on September 20, 1975, a victory for the Cyclones over the Air Force Falcons. For over two decades, it operated under its original name before a significant renaming campaign culminated in 1997. The facility's growth has mirrored the rising profile of the football program under coaches like Dan McCarney and Matt Campbell.

Design and features

The original horseshoe design, conceived by the architectural firm HNTB, featured a single-tiered grandstand on the west side. Major expansions added the south end zone Jacobson Athletic Building in 1997 and the massive north end zone addition in 2015, creating a full bowl. Distinctive features include the iconic Cyclone Sports Complex, the Sukup End Zone Club, and the Stark Performance Center. The playing surface was converted from natural grass to FieldTurf in 2007.

Naming and dedication

The campaign to rename the stadium was led by the Jack Trice Stadium Committee, a student group, and gained widespread support from the Iowa Board of Regents. The formal dedication occurred on September 6, 1997, during a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The naming honors Jack Trice, who died from injuries sustained in a 1923 game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. A statue of Trice by sculptor Chris Bennett stands at the stadium's north plaza.

Notable events

Beyond Cyclone home games, the stadium has hosted major events like the Iowa High School Athletic Association state football championships. It was the site of the 2020 Oklahoma game, played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Historic football moments include the 2011 upset of the second-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, a victory that clinched the Big 12 Conference championship game berth for the Cowboys.

Renovations and expansions

A series of projects have dramatically increased capacity and amenities. The first major expansion in 1997 added 10,000 seats in the south end zone. The 2000 project enclosed the northeast corner. The $60 million south end zone renovation in 2015 added premium suites and club seats. The most recent significant work, completed in 2019, included upgrades to the Cyclone Sports Complex and the construction of the Stark Performance Center, a state-of-the-art training facility.

Attendance records

The stadium's capacity has grown from its original 42,000 to the current 61,500. The all-time single-game attendance record of 61,500 was set on November 9, 2019, during a game against the Texas Longhorns. Consistently high attendance under coach Matt Campbell has established new season average records, solidifying the venue's reputation as a formidable home-field advantage within the Big 12 Conference.

Category:Football venues in Iowa Category:Iowa State University Category:Sports venues completed in 1975