Memorial Stadium (Indiana University)

Memorial Stadium (officially known as Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium for sponsorship reasons) is an American football stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, United States. It is primarily used for football, and has been the home of Indiana Hoosiers football since its opening in 1960. It is the 14th largest football stadium in the Big Ten Conference, with an official capacity of 53,524. The field has a conventional north–south alignment, at an approximate elevation of 771 feet (235 m) above sea level. History The stadium officially opened in 1960 as part of a new athletics area at the university and replaced the original Memorial Stadium built in 1925 (a 20,000-seat stadium located on 10th Street in Indiana University's Arboretum). The current Memorial Stadium has been renovated or updated multiple times since the original construction. Improvements include the replacement of the original wooden seats with aluminum bleachers, installation of sound and lighting systems, and major structural overhauls. In 2019, the $8.5 million Terry Tallen Indiana Football Complex opened, after J.C. Ripberger Construction Corp was able to finish the project in only 6 months, including an expanded and renovated locker room area, training room and sports lounge, to allow players to get acquainted with video games on 98" televisions. In September 2006, Indiana University announced plans to expand Memorial Stadium and enclose the north end zone. Demolition of the North End Zone bleachers took place in January 2007. This left capacity for the 2007 and 2008 seasons at 49,225. The expansion provides additional space for classrooms, a 25,000 sq ft (2,300 m2) weight/training room, a Hall of Fame, and expanded seating for football, raising the stadium's seating capacity to 52,692. The expansion is part of an overall $55 million expansion of several Indiana University athletic facilities. The project was completed as scheduled in August 2009, and was ready for the Hoosiers when they opened against Eastern Kentucky on September 3, 2009. Indiana Athletic Director Fred Glass announced in July 2009 $3 million of additional renovations to the stadium for the 2009 season, including a new "retro" North End Zone scoreboard, a "Knothole Park" kids area in the south end zone, upgrades to the press box, repainting walkways, renovated concession stands, additional ticket booths, and new fencing around the stadium. A 36-by-91-foot (11 by 28 m) HD scoreboard from Daktronics was added to the South End Zone for the 2010 season (which was the 29th largest collegiate scoreboard in the country), along with a state-of-the-art sound system. Indiana University Athletic Director Fred Glass announced on October 9, 2014, a planned project to enclose the south end of Memorial Stadium at an estimated cost of $10 million. The project included: a new rehabilitation and treatment facility for athletes, additional academic and life skills support facilities, a "multi-use" outdoor terrace on the roof of the structure, an entry plaza and green space at the south end of the stadium. The project was confirmed in March 2016, and was completed for the 2018 season. The total cost was $53 million. A new 20-by-68-foot (6.1 m × 20.7 m) video board was installed in the North End Zone for the 2017 season, with a 42-by-91.3-foot (12.8 m × 27.8 m) video board installed prior to the 2018 season, in the completed south end zone. On August 21, 2025, naming rights to the playing surface inside Memorial Stadium were sold to Merchants Bank. USS Indiana prow, mast, and guns The prow, mainmast, and two guns of the USS Indiana are erected at the western entrance of the stadium. The mainmast and guns were donated by the U.S. Navy in 1966, while they were joined by the prow in 2013. The battleship saw extensive service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, taking part in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Marianas campaign, and the Battle of Iwo Jima and earning nine battle stars. Hep's Rock In 2005 head football coach Terry Hoeppner had a southern Indiana limestone boulder, nicknamed "The Rock", installed in the north end zone as a new campus tradition. This limestone boulder was found prior to Hoeppner's first season at IU in the practice field. It was removed, put on a granite slab and moved to the stadium. The Hoosiers and coach Hoeppner walked out and touched the Rock before running onto the field at every home game during Hoeppner's time as head coach. Terry Hoeppner died of brain cancer on June 19, 2007, and The Rock (renamed "Hep's Rock" during a ceremony with the Hoeppner family on November 6, 2010) now serves as motivation for the team as well as a tribute to Hoeppner's influence on the football program. The Rock was relocated to the East Concourse of Memorial Stadium before the 2024 season. Playing surface Heavy rains in June 2008 severely damaged the field, washing away the gravel substrate and creating a large sinkhole in the south end zone, which led to the installation of a FieldTurf surface. A new FieldTurf Revolution 360 playing surface was installed prior to the 2016 season. This was replaced with the current Hellas Matrix Helix surface for the 2025 season. Largest attendance See also List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums References External links Official website