The new $9.6 million Steve and Debbie Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility opened for football practice in March 2004. The 92,000-square-foot building was constructed over the existing turf practice field as a part of the Johnny Majors Practice Complex west of Jack Trice Stadium. Funding for this project was from private gifts to the athletic department and ISU Foundation.

Jack Trice Stadium

Without a doubt, the 55,000-seat Jack Trice Stadium is one of the most beautiful nationally. Located on a 30-acre tract, the stadium is part of the ISU Center on the southeast corner of the Ames campus. The special football atmosphere at Jack Trice Stadium has been enhanced with the installation of a video/scoreboard and permanent lighting prior to the 2002 season. The stadium is named in honor of Jack Trice, Iowa State’s first African-American athlete. Trice died from injuries he received in a varsity football game in October 1923.

Jack Trice Stadium offers an unobstructed view of the playing field as well as remarkably easy access and parking. The stadium is part of the Iowa State Center, which includes James H. Hilton Coliseum, C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, J.W. Fisher Theater and the Carl Scheman Continuing Education Building, with lighted parking for 4,000 vehicles.

The stadium was completed in less than two years, from the ground breaking on Oct. 26, 1973, to the first game, a victory over Air Force, on Sept. 20, 1975. In late 1973 and spring of 1974, heavy earth-moving equipment shaped the embankments. A huge, movable form shaped the lower decks with thousands of cubic yards of concrete.

Originally, the stadium had a capacity of 42,500, all on the sidelines. In 1976, end zone bleachers were constructed to increase capacity to more than 46,000. Standing room tickets, sold for each game, brought the capacity to more than 50,000. An all-time record crowd of 54,475 (in the previous configuration) watched the ISU vs. Nebraska game on Oct. 27, 1990.

Completion of the Jacobson Athletic Building and the addition of permanent bleachers in the south end zone, as well as hillside seating in each of the four corners in the stadium changed the capacity to 55,000. A record 55,518 watched the Iowa State-Northern Iowa game Sept. 30, 2006.

A $6.2 million, three-level press tower located on the west side was added to Jack Trice Stadium in 1997. The facility includes press and radio-television levels and nine sky box suites. Fourteen boxes are located on the concourse level in the old press box. In all, Jack Trice Stadium has 23 sky box suites. Opposite the press box on the east side is a modern club section, seating 480 in theater-style seats. Included in the club area are a lounge and restrooms.

The renovated Ralph A. Olsen Building is adjacent to the north end of the Jacobson Athletic Building. The Olsen Building, named in honor of prominent Ellsworth, Iowa, farmer and alumnus, houses the strength and athletic training facilities.

The stadium complex was transformed in 1995-96 with the construction of the state-of-the-art Richard O. Jacobson Athletic Building. The home of Iowa State’s football program includes football offices, team meeting rooms, locker rooms, an auditorium and a natural grass field that debuted with the 1996 season opener.