University of Kansas Opens Reimagined Stadium Complex, Completing Phase 1 of the Gateway District
The opening of the stadium marks the completion of Phase 1 of the Gateway District, a transformative, multi-phased development that redefines the campus's northern entrance.
"We are incredibly excited to open the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday," Kansas Director of Athletics Travis Goff said. "The completion of the first major phase of the project is a testament to the power of the Jayhawk community. The impact of the new Booth will be far-reaching, and we cannot wait for our fans and student-athletes to experience the transformation. It will bring tremendous joy to see our community come together at the corner of 11th and Mississippi to support our football program and celebrate an exciting new era for the University of Kansas."
Designed by HNTB and Multistudio and brought to life by Turner Construction, Henderson Engineering Legends Project Development, the project has already transformed the corner of 11th and Mississippi streets with three connected buildings—Anderson Family Football Complex, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the newly built conference center on the north end of the stadium -- into a seamlessly interwoven, multi-use venue.
Anderson Family Football Complex, which was structurally integrated with the stadium before this renovation, has been reconfigured to support expanded use including a new team room that looks out onto the field. Other amenities in the additional 20,000 square feet of the building include a new walkthrough room, meeting rooms and team room, along with complete redesigns in the locker room, weight room, training room and player lounge.
Plans for the reimagined stadium and Gateway District were first announced in October of 2022 when Goff and Chancellor Douglas Girod held a press conference on The Hill on the south end of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium one day before the Jayhawks hosted ESPN's College GameDay.
"It has been rewarding to see this project come to life during the past few years," Girod said. "We have long talked about the positive impact the stadium and conference center will have on our community, and we are excited to begin experiencing it this weekend. Saturday will be a great celebration for the community, and we look forward to many more great days ahead as we fully build out the Gateway District."
‘This Complex Is a Game Changer’ — Badin Hosts First-Ever Event at Matandy SportsPlex
Badin High School officially turned a long-discussed dream into reality.
The Rams christened the Matandy SportsPlex on Friday night with its first-ever event — a girls and boys soccer doubleheader — marking a milestone that’s been decades in the making.
“It’s a lot of gratitude,” Badin President Brian Pendergest said, pausing to watch students, alumni and community members mingle along the concourse. “Gratitude to all of our donors, our alumni, our friends of Badin and community members who made this a reality.”
The opening comes as the school begins its 60th year, and the project — once just sketches and conversations — has become a tangible home field for its athletics programs after years of travel.
The SportsPlex, Pendergest said, gives current players, students and graduates a true place to call their own.
South Dakota Receives $20M Toward New Indoor Track and Field Facility
University of South Dakota Athletic Director Jon Schemmel has announced a $20 million dollar gift commitment from Mr. Denny Sanford to help build a new, state-of-the-art indoor track and field facility. The facility in honor of the Bill and Jill Gassen family and, pending Board approval, will be known as the Gassen Family Fieldhouse.
"I want to thank Mr. Sanford for this transformative gift to Coyote Athletics, and we are thrilled to honor amazing Coyotes in Bill and Jill Gassen," commented Schemmel. "Not only will this gift build a world class indoor track facility, but it will also create an entire new home for our track and field programs, allowing us to turn the DakotaDome into a turf-down facility. All 430 of our student-athletes and the community of Vermillion will benefit tremendously from this investment."
The gift from Mr. Denny Sanford matches the largest gift to South Dakota athletics in its history.
To subscribe to the free daily e-newsletter offering the latest industry news, products and insights from — and written for — the athletics, fitness and recreation industries, see below on this page, or click here
