Eric SorensonAs Arizona State football players lift weights inside Sun Devil Stadium there’s another group getting quite a workout outside of it these days, as well.
One of head coach Todd Graham’s top priorities were to improve facilities.
Now he’s seeing the fruits of his labor, specifically back-to-back double-digit win seasons and a renewed interest in Sun Devil football. Early Tuesday morning the media was given a sneak peek at the south end, phase one of three of the $256 million estimated project which is scheduled to be completed by 2017. The first phase is expected to be done in time for the home opener September 12th against Cal Poly.
“The main concourse is going to get connected around the entire bowl,” Sun Devil Stadium Project Representative Isaac Manning explained. “We’ll start today with the first phase with the student end zone, we’ll move over to the west side and then back to east side…we’ll effectively have a brand new stadium.”
This fall students will have brand new seats. After being sectioned in the lower and up deck on the south-east side, ASU is relocating all students to the lower bowl in the north and south end zones in what has been branded the “Double Inferno.” The thinking is making the venue louder and more intimidating for opponents in the fall. The new-look south end zone will hold approximately 6,500. Full stadium capacity this season will be 64,248.
The new look in the south end zone will also be far more fan-friendly with more, new improved restrooms and accessible ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) seating in the section. Previous ADA sections were essentially at field level behind the ASU bench. Your smart phone will also benefit from the project renovations.
“We have over 130 wireless access points with the antenna system,” Hunt Construction Manager Scott Owens said. “The students and the fans will have incredible service with social media.”
ASU continues to build towards the future on and off the field.
Left lane, hammer down.
