MOBILE, Ala. — The University of South Alabama has begun a preliminary exploration of what it would take to build an on-campus football stadium, university President Tony Waldrop told employees and students Monday.
In an email sent ahead of the university’s public announcement Monday afternoon, Waldrop said the school has initiated a review of the financial, logistical and infrastructure requirements associated with possible construction of a stadium on campus.
No Decision Yet
Waldrop stressed that the effort is in its earliest stages and that no decision has been made on whether the university will move forward with construction.
“This is exciting news for our University and our Athletics programs, but please keep in mind that this is a preliminary exploratory process, and no decision has been made about whether or not the University will proceed with plans for construction of a football stadium,” Waldrop wrote.
He said the university will conduct a thorough examination of all issues surrounding a potential on-campus stadium before reaching a decision, and that there are many questions still to be answered. Waldrop said he will share more information as the process moves forward.
Background
South Alabama’s football program began play in 2009 and has played its home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, a city-owned facility in Mobile. The Jaguars compete in the Sun Belt Conference at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level and are coached by Joey Jones, the program’s first head coach.
The Jaguars played in their first bowl game, the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, following the 2014 season.
