Facilities and Directions
Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field
Recognized as one of the most historic fields in UNK athletic history, Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field has withstood the test of time and taken on a new and improved look.
Located on the North side of campus, just west of the Nebraskan Student Union, Cope Stadium at Foster Field enjoys a location that is accessible to community and students alike.
It has been home to the Loper football team since 1939; the track & field team used a since-removed outdoor track for several decades.
The stadium was named Foster Field to honor former track and football coach Charlie Foster. Ron & Carol Cope, well known in the Kearney community for their philanthropy work, were added to the marquee in 2005 due to their contributions to the new facility.
In recent years, the field and stadium complex has been the focus of major renovations with more than $8 million in improvements completed.
Construction projects at the stadium have touched on improvements for fans as well as players in all areas:
Recognized as one of the most historic fields in UNK athletic history, Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field has withstood the test of time and taken on a new and improved look.
The stadium was named Foster Field to honor former track and football coach Charlie Foster. Ron & Carol Cope, well known in the Kearney community for their philanthropy work, were added to the marquee in 2005 due to their contributions to the new facility.- New state-of-the-art field turf (275’ x 400’) added in August of 2004.
- 3 story stadium upgrades including 7 press/media suites, hospitality room (90 cap.), full game viewing deck, ticket booth, two concession stands, elevator, 4 bathroom sets, and 4 stadium entrances.
- The installation of an additional 1,500 seats.
- A new north end zone facility with home and away locker rooms, meeting rooms, training facilities, concession stand, official’s quarters, and equipment storage.
- Inner fencing structure to separate field from fans
- New state of the art LED message center (13’x 17’6”/80x112 Led Daktronics Prostar)
- State-of-the-art sound & lighting.
The University of Nebraska Kearney played its first game on the renovated field on Saturday, September 3, 2004 vs. Wayne State in front of 3,804 people.
The second phase was completed the following year and included the addition of the press box and north end zone building. A crowd of 8,823 fans packed into the facility to watch the Lopers take on the Mavericks of UNO.
Today, Foster Field is home for the UNK football and soccer teams as well as the Kearney High Bearcat football team.
Other athletic teams benefit from it’s surface as a practice facility during off seasons and winter months as well.
The 2009 season marked the first year that women’s soccer used the complex. The season opener vs. Wayne State drew 3, 227, which set an NCAA Division II attendance record. The previous record at a Division II game was 2,004.
Tremendous thanks go out to these individuals and groups who so graciously have contributed to the Cope Stadium at Foster Field project. Your legacy will forever be experienced by student-athletes and fans.
Directions
Campus Map (
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UNK Address: 905 West 25th Street, Kearney, NE 68849
UNK Campus Driving Directions
From Interstate 80: Take Exit 272, Kearney. Turn onto NE-44 North/North 2nd Avenue and drive 2.3 miles. Turn left onto U.S. Highway 30/West 25th Street and drive 0.5 miles until you arrive at the UNK campus.
Continue on U.S. Highway 30/West 24th Street until you reach the west edge of campus. Turn right into the parking lot between the College of Business and Technology West Center building and the softball fields. Parking for the Frank House is located at the north end of this lot.
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