The University of North Alabama on Friday officially broke ground on Bank Independent Stadium the on-campus facility set to open in time for the 2026 football season.

The multi-purpose stadium project was announced in June 2023 and will be built on the site of the UNA practice fields and Mike Lane Stadium, the school’s baseball park. Upon completion, the Lions will move out of nearby Braly Municipal Stadium (owned by the Florence city school system), where they have played their home football games since 1949.

“Today’s groundbreaking further solidifies our Board’s commitment to fund this capital project,” said Will Trapp, President Pro Tempore of UNA’s Board. “As with most things here at UNA, it takes everyone doing their part and working together for these opportunities to make the most impact. We have received great support from alumni and friends, community organizations, and, of course, from our naming rights partner, Bank Independent.

“That base of funding will be supplemented by enhancements in athletic revenue from having our own stadium. We also view this investment in UNA Athletics as one for the Shoals community as well. Our hope is that it will be a place for people to come together in support of this University and make memories that will join them to us and to each other. We need to invest in things that bring us together. Our students asked for this years ago, and it’s exciting to see it finally happening.”

The stadium project is expected to cost approximately $65 million, but the school has raised around $25 million in funds to date. The UNA Board has authorized the school to borrow up to $35 million toward the cost of construction.

Stadium title sponsor Bank Independent, founded in 1947 as the Bank of Leighton, operates dozens of locations throughout north Alabama. Macke Mauldin, president of Bank Independent, was on hand for Friday’s groundbreaking.

“Bank Independent is proud to be part of this historic project at the University of North Alabama,” Mauldin said. “As a community bank, we are deeply committed to investing in initiatives that make a positive difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors. Whether it’s a football or baseball game, a soccer match, a concert or community gathering, Bank Independent Stadium will provide a state-of-the-art facility for all of north Alabama. This facility will not only bring excitement and pride but also a significant economic impact, acting as a catalyst for growth in our region.”

The Bank Independent Stadium complex will include a multi-purpose turf field and track, allowing use for both football and soccer, as well as other academic, athletic, intramural and community uses. While construction of Bank Independent Stadium is ongoing, work will also be taking place at the baseball field and at the UNA Spring Sports Complex at Cox Creek.

UNA baseball will receive a new playing surface and all-chairback seating concourse, a video board and new outfield wall by the start of the 2026 season. Some of the amenities will be in place for 2025, Lions athletics director Josh Looney said.

“We are working to ensure baseball’s space will be as complete as possible to host practices in January, followed by home competition in March 2025,” Looney said. “While we will address logistics to host baseball competition through the construction process, we plan for baseball to play its 2025 season on campus and believe fans will enjoy some of the new experiences we will be integrating as part of the space.”

UNA football began the transition from Division II to the FCS level in 2018, and joined the ASUN Conference in 2022. The Lions went 3-8 in 2023 under first-year coach Brent Dearmon.

Fans can keep up with the progress of Bank Independent Stadium by visiting the website www.una.edu/bistadium.