Tennessee Tech showcased the ongoing transformation of the university’s football stadium Wednesday during a tour that highlighted premier fan upgrades, including luxury suites and a high-capacity club level.
Project Manager Camden Baker said the stadium is currently in the finishing stages with crews installing primer, paint, wood wall paneling, and ceiling grids. Baker said the project is tracking well.
“As a football fan myself, I have never seen better seating in a stadium,” Baker said. “I mean at the club level, if you’re on the first row or even any club level seating, I mean you are so close to the sideline. I mean it’s it’s a next-level fan experience.”
Associate Head Football Coach and Special Teams Coordinator Frank Wilson said the new west side of the stadium will hold 3,300 fans and features unobstructed sightlines from end zone to end zone. Wilson said the president’s suite was specifically designed to seat 40 people and was positioned so that fans could retain access to the 50-yard line seats.
“The front rows of the concourse are come complete with all the sights and sounds of college football,” Wilson said. “You’re so close you’ll be able to hear some of the coaching points, you’ll be able to see the players getting coached on the sideline, you’ll be able to see them take the field every Saturday.”
Wilson said the club level will feature 561 chair-back seats supported by a central bar and two serving areas for food and beverages. The project representative said the space utilizes significant natural lighting from a large curtain wall looking out toward Stadium Drive, which has assisted the construction timeline.
“The east side will be a tremendous atmosphere for students and people who really want to get loud because that’s where we need all the energy to come from is the students and the band,” Wilson said. “The east side remains up and will serve as a student section, a dedicated student section as well as where the band will be housed.”
Baker said the stadium track is being relocated to the top of the hill near the athletic training center to accommodate the new configuration. Wilson said the concourse will also feature modern “grab-and-go” concession stands with self-checkout options to ensure fans do not miss plays while getting refreshments.
“This is going to be a tremendous atmosphere for viewing a college football game, “Wilson said. “The potential only two plays you would miss are a punt or a Hail Mary at the end of the game. Everything else is in completely within your sightline.”
Baker said crews are currently laying flooring in the locker rooms and have installed all new stadium lighting.