The football field will be named Bobby Wallace Field and the baseball field will be named Mike D. Lane Field.[3]
It is to be built adjacent to Flowers Hall, which houses the UNA basketball and volleyball programs. The stadium will be designed by Davis Architects who previously designed the 2016 renovation of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and expansions of Bryant–Denny Stadium.[4]
History
Background
Braly Stadium has served as the home of the North Alabama Lions football team since 1949. Despite its long tenure as host, the main complaint against the stadium was the fact that it was off-campus. The roots for a new stadium can be traced back to 1974 when the university proposed a new 20,000 seat stadium.[5] Despite no location ever being determined, it was stated that it would be near campus.[6] Despite talks of a new stadium starting in the 1970s, it would not be until the late 2010s for a proposal to get serious consideration.
In 2018, the university’s SGA created a resolution supporting an on-campus stadium. Following this, the university began exploring the potential of a new stadium. While student input was a key factor in the decision, the university had become aware of the downsides of renting Braly Stadium from the City of Florence. The biggest issue with the rental agreement for Braly was the lack of revenue the university would see from a game. During a press conference at the ground breaking of the new stadium, athletic director Dr. Josh Looney gave an example of how their neutral site game at Toyota Field against Jacksonville State in 2022 produced more revenue for the athletic department than the rest of the season at Braly.[7] These issues, along with the impending jump to Division I, led the university to begin exploring options.
Unofficial designs were unveiled in April of 2019[8] and fundraising began in 2021. But the stadium was not official until June 2023 when the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the project. It was announced that the stadium would be located at the current Bill Jones Athletic Complex, where both the women’s soccer and baseball programs are housed. It was also announced that these programs would join the football team as tenants at the stadium. With the inclusion of the baseball program, it was announced that Bank Independent Stadium would be a multi-purpose stadium complex. After the announcement, the stadium entered a 12 to 16 month designing phase with the goal to complete construction by the 2026-27 academic year. [9]
Construction
A ground breaking ceremony was held on June 14, 2024 at the Bill Jones Athletic Complex. Demolition on the site began in July when demolition began on Mike D. Lane Field.[10] As demolition started on the stadium, construction started on a new turf practice field and track that is located next to the Hilda B. Anderson Softball Complex. This field will serve as the practice field for the football and women's soccer teams until the stadium is finished in 2026.[11]
Funding
As of the ground breaking, the Board of Trustees had authorized the University to borrow up to $35 million for the project. Donor wise, the University stated that they had fundraised up to $25 million with hopes that will increase after the ground breaking ceremony.[11]
Naming
Bank Independent Stadium has been the name for the project since its announcement in 2023. No details have been released regarding Bank Independent's naming deal but it has been clear that they are a major donor to the university and the project.[12]
On November 25, 2024, it was announced that the university will name the stadium fields after two all-great UNA coaches: Bobby Wallace and Mike D. Lane. The football field will be named Bobby Wallace Field after Wallace led the Lions to three consecutive Division II national football championships. The baseball field will be named Mike D. Lane Field after Lane coached the UNA Lions baseball for 25 seasons and led the team to the NCAA Division II baseball tournament in 1999. He was also the namesake for UNA's previous baseball field, which was also named Mike D. Lane Field.[3]
It was also revealed that the Florence-Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau will be the presenting sponsor for the football field. While no amount for the sponsorship was revealed, the naming rights for the football field was listed at $3.5 million before the announcement.[3]
