Artist's rendering

Wabash College has announced plans to construct a new football stadium that will open when the Little Giants host Rose-Hulman on Sept. 5, 2020.

Wabash president Gregory Hess made the announcement of the $13 million Little Giant Stadium, which will include seating for 3,550 fans in the main grandstand, suites, and the W Club Lounge. The new facility will also include game operations and media booths, relocated scoreboard, a new playing surface, all-weather track, and expanded restroom and upgraded concession areas. Ground will be broken on Saturday, Nov. 9.

“An anonymous group of donors has pledged substantial funding for the construction of Little Giant Stadium and we are grateful for their passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to our students,” President Hess said. “This project and a complete renovation of Lilly Library constitute phase one of our Campus Master Plan implementation.”

Wabash is the sixth winningest football program in NCAA Division III. The Little Giants have posted a 166-34 record since 2001 (.830), won eight North Coast Athletic Conference championships, and made the Division III playoffs eight times over that span.

The new Little Giant Stadium is being designed by the DLR Group in Kansas City, which has a proven record of excellence in stadium design for more than 30 years. Indianapolis-based FA Wilhelm Construction will serve as the project’s construction manager.

“We could not be happier with the commitment of the donors and the excellence of our design and construction partners,” said Hess. “DLR Group has a very deep bench and will hit our deadlines, and Wilhelm has done impressive work at Wabash for decades.”

Donors to the Little Giant Stadium project have chosen to pay tribute to former Wabash football coach Frank Navarro by naming the playing field in his honor. Navarro coached the Little Giants from 1974 to 1977. His 1977 team posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The clock ran out on Wabash in a 39-36 shootout loss to Widener in the title game.

Navarro’s 1976 team went 7-3 to post the school's first winning season in 10 years, and he led Wabash to 5-0 home records in both 1976 and 1977.

The new Little Giant Stadium will include four suites and the W Club Lounge on the second level, accessible via an elevator. Within the main concourse will be a Hall of Giants, which will pay tribute to Wabash’s accomplishments in intercollegiate athletics.

“Wabash has a rich and storied football tradition and it’s exciting to think that we will be playing in a new stadium a year from now,” said head coach Don Morel. “Our players feel like we have the best fans in the country and this new stadium will further enhance our home field advantage.”

Gifts for the construction of Little Giant Stadium and renovation of Lilly Library are made possible through Wabash’s historic $225 million Giant Steps Campaign — the largest comprehensive fund-raising campaign in the college’s history.