Sun Devil Stadium 2.0

Tempe, Ariz., November 25, 2015 - Arizona State University is turning to an experienced leader of high-profile events to oversee programming at Sun Devil Stadium as it seeks to transform what today is primarily a football venue into a community and cultural hub available for use year round. 

As the next phase of the stadium renovation project gets underway, President Michael Crow named Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Executive Director of ASU Gammage and Associate Vice President Cultural Affairs for ASU, to program and manage additional events at the revitalized facility.  

Sun Devil Stadium has seen rock concerts, a Papal visit and many local events in the past, but in recent years it has seen action almost exclusively on game days. Crow already has charged Jennings-Roggensack with designing a process to envision new uses for the space; now she will have responsibility for the implementation of those ideas.

“I am confident that the experience and creativity that Colleen brings to this project will make full use of the university’s capacity to innovate,“ Crow said. 

Jennings-Roggensack said that the reinvented Sun Devil Stadium will provide a venue for a variety of community and university engagements. The extent to which the facility becomes a multipurpose venue will depend upon creative thinking and philanthropic support. 

“We want Sun Devil Stadium 2.0 to weave together athletics, student life and the vibrant community that surrounds ASU,” Jennings-Roggensack said. “The stadium-between-the-buttes can play host to competitions and celebrations of academics and the arts and community success. The stadium should be infused with life and learning as never before.” 

In addition to her responsibilities at Gammage, Jennings-Roggensack co-chaired the 2004 presidential debate at ASU, served as a Super Bowl XXX vice-chair, is a current Tony Awards judge and has held a host of leadership roles in local and national civic and arts organizations. 

Her appointment and the conclusion of the 2015 football home season mark the start of Phase II construction, which is focused on the fan experience with upgraded amenities, concessions, restrooms, technology, increased seating options geared to increase fan comfort, which includes more legroom, widened concourses, ADA upgrades, additional elevators and the installation of handrails. These advancements also will further the university’s commitment to sustainable form and function. At the completion of Phase II on the west side, the main concourse will begin to connect the stadium clockwise with the south end zone and west side concourses merging with the north Sun Deck toward an eventual 360 degree walk around the stadium. Phase III, the conclusion, will focus largely on the east side.

“The new-and-improved Sun Devil Stadium will create exciting opportunities for live entertainment and community events,” said Morgan R. Olsen, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO of the University. “We’ll accomplish that while retaining the distinct atmosphere that our fans long have loved about the stadium.” 

Planning already is underway for expanded use of the stadium. On November 19, ASU hosted an open house to gather input from students, faculty, and neighbors from the surrounding community about potential uses of and the user experience inside the iconic public facility. 

“Sun Devil Stadium will always be known as a venue for elite student athletes and a high caliber football program,” said Ray Anderson, Vice President for University Athletics and Athletics Director.  “The process of reconstructing this iconic gathering place for Sun Devils of all generations has opened our minds to the potential for this space to be reinvented in such a way as to serve as a resource for other student, alumni and community activities when this real estate is not being used for football.  Sun Devil Stadium can be an asset for much more than just football games during the Fall.”

About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.