Spartan Update from AD Alan Haller on Spartan Stadium Renovations
12/13/2024
Spartans,
Today is an exciting day for Michigan State Athletics and Spartan Football, as earlier today the Board of Trustees approved a resolution that will provide necessary upgrades and modernize Spartan Stadium in the short and long term.
As change comes to college athletics, a successful football program will be essential for the overall health of the athletic department. Football also unites the campus community for home games and is a key driver of economic success in the local economy. Today’s action by the Board is a demonstration of the administration’s support of the department’s commitment to continue to invest in the success of the football program.
I invite you to read the entire resolution, but in summary, it approves the following:
- Replacement of Spartan Stadium’s three video boards – to be completed before the 2025 season
- Renovations to the West Tower (4th, 7th, 8th floors) – to be completed before the 2025 season
- A plan for the future modernization of Spartan Stadium
Beginning next season, all fans will benefit from new video boards. The existing video boards were installed prior to the 2012 season and are beyond their anticipated life cycle. Video boards are key to providing an enjoyable gameday experience for all, while also serving as a primary revenue generator for corporate sponsorships.
Renovations to the West Tower provide a modern space to host events, donors, and dignitaries central to advancing both the department and university’s missions. Since opening before the 2005 season, these spaces have not seen any substantive updates. Fans in these spaces will enjoy the upgrades beginning this fall.
With approval to plan for modernization, we have the opportunity to reimagine Spartan Stadium. Not only will a new East Tower dramatically change the look and feel of the stadium, providing new seating options and an improved experience for fans, it’s an opportunity to develop a space in the heart of campus which could advance the University’s academic, research, and outreach missions.
Since it opened in 1923, it’s been a gathering place for the Michigan State community, and site of many great moments in Spartan football history. For the thousands of Spartans who have run through the tunnel, including myself, Spartan Stadium is home. Today’s action by the Board is a step towards ensuring that remains a constant for the next 100 years.
Capital projects aren’t possible without incredible support from both our loyal Spartan Fund donors and our corporate partners. We are incredibly grateful for your investment in our department and Spartan football. Success isn’t possible without everyone working together.
I’m sure this comes as exciting news to many of you – I certainly know it is for me! I also realize it initiates a lot of questions about timelines and specific upgrades as well as a desire to see architectural renderings. Today’s permission to plan is only the first step of a multi-phase process. I look forward to the time when I have concepts and drawings to share with our Spartan community.
Thank you again for your support on what is certainly an exciting day for Michigan State.
Go Green!
Alan Haller
Michigan State University Vice President and Director of Athletics
