HBCUs Actively Look For Stadium Upgrades

In the world of business in college football, where a team plays can be just as important as how good a program is on the field. Schools frequently look for ways to upgrade their existing venue or to build a brand new one from scratch in order to maximize the revenue they can bring in.

HBCUs are no different, and we’ll focus on three schools in particular who are in the midst of a search or desire to upgrade their stadium situation in some form or fashion.

Jackson State has been actively looking to repair or replace Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, but has had a difficult time getting funding from the state of Mississippi. Legislators passed over requests to fund the projects five times over earlier this year, with a lot of disagreement surrounding how this initiative should move forward.

Jackson State football stadium funding requests die in Mississippi Legislature again https://t.co/xpE0wrEH3o

— Clarion Ledger (@clarionledger) March 6, 2026

Senator Sollie Norwood believes that sentimental value is important to the program and should be considered in this scenario.

“There’s a lot of history there. All those memories, you just can’t throw that to the side. You can’t go back and recreate those moments in a new stadium,” Norwood said.

Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium was built in 1950, and the Jackson State Tigers have played there since 1970. It seems like even if there was funding to build a new venue, the question of where would still need to be answered.

“I looked throughout my district, and I’m not sure of any place that would fit (another stadium),” Norwood stated. “The only place that previously we had identified is a space where we were hoping to get another dormitory at some point.”

Delaware State is another HBCU in search of a stadium upgrade. School president Tony Allen is reportedly looking for over $28 million in order to refurbish Alumni Stadium.

“The games are great, the band is great, the students are great, but the facilities need an overhaul,” Allen said. “We believe if we can continue to do that, that front door will be a great gift, not just to Delaware State, but to the state of Delaware in general.”

Allen pointed to the game the Hornets played against Norfolk State in Philadelphia featuring star head coaches DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick as the impetus for the venue making a difference in the atmosphere.

“If we can create that energy in Philadelphia, we can certainly create that energy in Dover, but we need your support to do that,” Allen contended.

South Carolina State is also looking to bolster the look and feel of their home building, Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. The program launched a campaign to raise more than $40 million in part to help modernize campus facilities.

#GoDogs

IT’S GAME DAY

BACK AT OLIVER C. DAWSON STADIUM
6 PM
VS @BCUGridiron Bethune-Cookman@SCStateAthletic @MEACSports @coachberry77 #PayTheFEE#DigDEEP#FearTheBITE#CWCW#BBB#HTR#BuyIn
🔴🔵🐶🏈 pic.twitter.com/Qnhb6ellto

— South Carolina State Football (@SCState_Fb) September 13, 2025

They’re also in the midst of an over $10 million renovation of the stadium that will include LED lighting, upgraded press boxes, an additional elevator, and a dog park.

“This is our university and our responsibility,” said Melvin Felder, budget analyst at South Carolina State. “Through this campaign, we can provide our students with the foundation for success for generations to come.”