A rendering of Kip & Sara Kirkpatrick StadiumNorthwestern Univ.
In Chicago, Brandon Dupre reported Northwestern is planning to construct a new softball field as it “continues its stadium-building spree.” The new stadium is buoyed by a $5M donation from Harreld “Kip” and Sara Kirkpatrick and will be named the Kip & Sara Kirkpatrick Stadium. Northwestern said that stadium construction is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed by spring 2026. The softball team will continue playing home games on the current field during construction. Dupre wrote the Kirkpatrick gift is a “huge boost to the project,” which the school is still fundraising for. Northwestern said that the budget for the project has “not yet been finalized” (CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS, 3/13).
GOING A DIFFERENT DIRECTION: In Minneapolis, Joe Christensen reported the Univ. of Minnesota football team is “scrapping a traditional spring game” and opening one practice exclusively to members of Dinkytown Athletes, the athletic department's official NIL collective. The team will also host one practice open to the general public, at 4:30pm CT on April 11 at the Athletes Village. Minnesota has not had a traditional outdoor spring game -- open to the public on a Saturday -- since 2017 (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/12).
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: In Memphis, Omar Yusuf reported Univ. of Memphis men’s basketball averaged an announced home attendance of 12,275 for the 2023-24 season, up from last season’s announced attendance average of 11,444 during its 15 home games. According to the university, a “part of that uptick” is attributed to the Tigers’ having their “highest student attendance in 10 years.” Memphis AD Laird Veatch said that one area that “does remain down” is season ticket sales, but he added that he is “pleased with the success of their single-game ticket sales” and “creative-ticket options,” such as mini-plans (MEMPHIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/11).
