Hep's Rock

The Indiana athletics department announced on Wednesday that Hep's Rock will be moved from the North end zone to the East concourse at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington prior to IU's football season opener against FIU Aug. 31.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Change continues to wash over the Indiana University football program.

In a season where the Hoosiers will introduce new coach Curt Cignetti with eight home games, Indiana will rework its game day experience, including a relocation of Hep’s Rock, which has been a focal point of the IU gameday experience for nearly 20 years.

On Wednesday, IU athletics announced that with the approval of the family of former coach Terry Hoeppner, the three-ton limestone rock taken from the original construction of Memorial Stadium will be moved from its spot in the North end zone to the East concourse, facing Assembly Hall.

In 2006, his first season, Hoeppner began the tradition of having IU players touch Hep's Rock while running from the locker room to the field before the game. Hoeppner coached IU in 2005 and 2006 before he died of brain cancer in June 2007.

In 2024, the team interaction with The Rock will occur after the Hoosiers’ players exit the bus from the team hotel and walk into the football stadium toward the locker room.

The school said that will be part of an upgraded focus on the pregame walk, which will be produced by Thomas James Productions and include a tunnel as well as enhanced fireworks show.

IU also announced these changes to the game experience, starting with the homer opener against FIU Aug. 31:

Outdoor Suite Additions

The addition of field-level outdoor suites debuted inside Memorial Stadium during the 2023 season and the overwhelming response was so impressive the offering has been expanded for the 2024 season. The eight field-level suites will be accompanied by eight more outdoor suites on The Rooftop at The Rock.

The premium suite experience expands on the partnership between IU Athletics and REVELXP, the U.S. sports and entertainment brand that has worked with nearly 100 collegiate and professional properties nationwide. REVELXP provides fans with elevated gameday experiences.

Fans interested in securing a field level suite or suite on The Rooftop for the 2024 season can contact Chris Minderman at 812-855-2438 or cminderm@indiana.edu.

Updated Concourse and Food Options

Indiana athletics’ new partnership with Levy, the sports and entertainment hospitality leader, will oversee every aspect of hospitality on gamedays at Memorial Stadium, including concessions and premium seating areas. Renovations on the Memorial Stadium concourse have already begun and will allow for an elevated food and beverage experience for patrons this fall.

On top of the addition of some exciting new food partnerships with local restaurants, Levy will offer the traditional person-to-person concession options that fans are accustomed to in IU’s venues and new Grab and Go touch points that will make the concessions experience more convenient for patrons.

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