June 28, 2005
- 2005 National I-Club Spring Banquet Tour
- Follow the Renovation of Kinnick!
- 2005 Capital One Bowl: The Game Story
- 2005 Capital One Bowl: Photos from the Game
- 2005 Capital One Bowl: Notes from the Game
- 2005 Capital One Bowl: Statistics from the game
- 2005 Capital One Bowl: Video Highlights from the Game
- 2005 Capital One Bowl: Listen to the Game
- 2005 Capital One Bowl: Watch Mediacom’s Pre-Game Special
- The Schedule: 2005 and Beyond
- Order your 2004 Iowa Football Instant Replay DVD
- 2005 FanFest: Photo Gallery
Workers gave fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes a hint of what’s to come Monday and today when they installed pieces of the north façade of the new scoreboard inside historic Kinnick Stadium.
The sections of the scoreboard that read “Time Outs Left,” “Down,” and “To Go” were installed and now provides fans of the Hawkeyes a points of reference to compare against the schematic prepared by Daktronics, Inc., for the UI’s review and approval. That schematic and pictures of the scoreboard as it stands today are available for review at kinnickrenovation.com, the official world wide web site of the multi-million dollar renovation project. Fans should scroll over “Photo Galleries” and follow the appropriate links.
Workers also brought new meaning to the words “It’s a suite life” yesterday when they installed the concrete that will serve as the floor to the theatre seats that are at the very front of each of the private suites located in the north and south ends of the press box currently under construction.
Today, workers began installing the concrete that will be the floor for the outdoor club seats. That work started in the south end of the new press box and will continue north.
Again, pictures of that progress, artist rendering and schematics of those spaces are inside the photo galleries of kinnickrenovation.com.
There’s not doubt that the renovation of the UI’s historic Kinnick Stadium is bringing about a significant amount of change and an equal amount of improvement. The Iowa football team will experience both when it gathers prior to the Sept. 3 home opener against Ball State and every game thereafter.
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“The lockerroom is an example of one of the modern conveniences that the renovated Kinnick will have but not at the expense of tradition and ambiance. Kinnick is a special place for lots of reasons and we’re working hard to make certain that the renovation doesn’t negatively effect all that is so very positive about the facility.”
UI Senior Associate Athletics Director Jane Meyer
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Why? The game-day lockerroom for Coach Kirk Ferentz’s squad is moving from street level at the northwest corner of Iowa’s beloved stadium to field level of the new south grandstand. The relocation will impact the Hawkeyes in several ways.
First, the new facility will have locker space for 100 student-athletes, a significant improvement over the current number. “In the past, some of our student-athletes needed to double-up on game days. That won’t be the case beginning this fall,” said Jane Meyer, the UI’s senior associate athletics director who is also the primary point person for the UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics when the topic is the renovation.
In addition to the number of lockers, the total square footage assigned for this space in the renovated facility is significantly larger than what has been used in the past. “This is a case where quantity will directly affect quality.
“The lockerroom has been designed in such a way where our defense, offense and special teams will have the ability to meet separately pre-game and during halftime,” said Meyer.
Iowa’s coaches will have their own lockerroom facility adjacent to the team’s. There will also be game-day training and equipment spaces. And, of course, every space designated for use by the Iowa Hawkeyes will take on a very black-and-gold look.
Not so for the visitors….in deference to Hayden Fry, Iowa’s legendary Hall of Fame head coach. Guests of the Hawkeyes will get a heavy dose of pink.
“Yes, the facilities for the visiting team will be pink…everything right down to the carpet on the floor to the paint on the wall. We also have a few other pink surprises planned,” said Meyer.
Meyer is probably like a lot of fans of the Hawkeyes who have been following the renovation. Everyone seems excited about the finished product whether their interest is the new scoreboard, the new south grandstand, the new press box or the spaces hidden deep inside the structures.
“The lockerroom is an example of one of the modern conveniences that the renovated Kinnick will have but not at the expense of tradition and ambiance. Kinnick is a special place for lots of reasons and we’re working hard to make certain that the renovation doesn’t negatively effect all that is so very positive about the facility,” she said.
Fans of the Hawkeyes are reminded that season tickets and three-game ticket packages are currently on sale. The easiest method of purchasing 2005 Iowa football tickets is online. Click HERE to begin that process.
Fans can also call 1-800 IA-HAWKS or visit the UI Athletic Ticket Office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena any weekday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets to UI intercollegiate athletics events can also be purchased at the Iowa City / Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau information desk located at the main entrance of Coral Ridge Mall in nearby Coralville.
Single-game tickets for games that are not already sold out will begin on July 14.
Fans intersted in learning more about the premium seating opportunities inside historic Kinnick Stadium should contact Mark Jennings at (319) 335-8903 or Andy Piro at (319) 335-3305. A limited number of suites, indoor club seats and outdoor club seats remain available.