The University of North Alabama has announced partnerships with HPM and Davis Architects for the design and construction of Bank Independent Stadium, the multi-purpose facility set to open on campus in time for the 2026-27 athletic year.

The stadium project was announced in June, and recently marked the six-month milestone. UNA athletics director Josh Looney said Friday that the stadium — which will be used year-round as the playing facility for football, soccer and baseball — will be a true “community asset.”

“Since our June 9 announcement regarding Bank Independent Stadium, we’ve experienced an unbelievable groundswell of support in the community from business partners, from friends of the university and from donors,” Looney said. “And we’re excited that it’s led to another significant milestone that we’re able to celebrate today as we bring Bank Independent Stadium closer to reality.

“… Bank Independent Stadium is going to be a community project and a community asset, not just an asset for the University of North Alabama, not just an asset for our athletic department, not just an asset for a football program or for soccer or baseball.”

HPM is based in Birmingham and with offices around the country. Among other projects, the company has been involved in the expansion of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, as well as the construction of both Protective Stadium in Birmingham and the Florida spring training home of the Atlanta Braves.

“HPM will be with us from start to finish, from the pre-planning to procurement to actual construction, to post-construction,” Looney said. “They are our great partner, eyes and ears for this project, an extension of the University of North Alabama, an incredible group that is one of the nation’s top project management firms. It’s a great firm and we’re incredibly excited to have them.”

Davis Architecture, also based in Birmingham, has been involved in numerous projects around the region and state, including Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Mal Moore Athletic Facility and Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Jacksonville State’s Jim Case Stadium and Auburn’s Neville Arena.

“The oldest (public university) in the state of Alabama is partnering with the oldest architectural firm in the state of Alabama and the most experienced,” Looney said. “They have a deep understanding of construction projects in the state, as they’ve been operating since 1912. … We’re excited to partner with Davis.”

Bank Independent Stadium will be built on the current site of the UNA practice fields and Mike Lane Stadium, the school’s baseball park. Upon completion, the Lions will move out of city-owned Braly Municipal Stadium, where they have played their home football games since 1949.

UNA 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.