DSU to cut ribbon on grandstand during Chartway Classic Kickoff

Marking the start of the 2018 Trailblazer home football season, Dixie State University will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Trailblazer Stadium east grandstand at halftime of the Chartway Classic Kickoff Game. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on Sept. 8, and fans are encouraged to wear Dixie State gear for this red-out game as they cheer on the Trailblazers, who are ranked fourth in the RMAC preseason coaches poll. Prior to the game, festivities will start with the DSU Alumni Association’s free tailgate party. Complete with hot dogs, sides and games, the tailgate starts at 4 p.m. at the Wade Alumni House, located just across University Avenue from Trailblazer Stadium. Following the game, the evening will conclude with Fan Fest featuring a movie screening on the field. The new grandstand, which has room to seat 4,909 people, is one indicator of the growth and excitement surrounding Dixie State University. “DSU strives to put competitive teams on the field and on the court, and the high-caliber facility that this new grandstand has been built to be will certainly take what Dixie has already created to the next level,” Dixie State Director of Facilities Planning & Construction Jon Gibb said. In addition to housing restrooms, concessions, ticketing, locker rooms for officials, storage space and athletic training facilities, the 14,558-square-foot building includes locker rooms large enough for 200 athletes. The space can be separated into 2 to 4 different rooms to accommodate more teams. “Essentially, we could have two teams playing, with two other teams getting ready to play, all with their own space,” Gibb said. Trailblazer Stadium’s increased capacity enables it to become southern Utah’s premier hub for large-scale athletic, public and civic activities. In addition to hosting NCAA Division II tournaments, the new grandstand allows DSU to host high school state tournaments and community concerts. Already hosting the Huntsman World Senior Games and high school marching band competitions, the stadium is now able to accommodate more people at these popular events. The next and final phase in the stadium renovation, for which programming is underway and sponsors are being sought, is an extensive remodel of the facility’s existing west-side grandstand. The updated grandstand will include new locker rooms for DSU student-athletes, offices for coaching staff, improved space for athletic training, expanded restrooms, a new press box, box suites, updated ticketing office, and a more inviting front entrance. The first phase of the project, which included resurfacing and widening the track and updating the field, was completed during the summer of 2017. For tickets and more information on Dixie State University Football, visit dixiestateathletics.com.

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