Paul SuellentropThe renovation of Wichita State’s Cessna Stadium into University Stadium took a big step forward Jan. 8 when the WSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to invest $38 million into Phase 2 of the project.
Phase 2 will begin after the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships May 29-30, 2026 with demolition of the west grandstand in June.
"We would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their investment in making University Stadium a state-of-the-art venue for Shocker track and field and the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships,” Wichita State Director of Athletics Kevin Saal said. “University Stadium is a tremendous asset to Wichita State University, the community of Wichita and the state of Kansas as we improve the university’s ability to host Kansas’ top high school athletes. This renovation also enhances Wichita State’s potential to recruit a wide range of championship and external events – including but not limited to national track and field competition - to Wichita.”
Construction of the new west stadium will be phased to ensure that ample seating is available for the 2027 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships. Construction is scheduled to be complete before the 2028 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships.
“In late May every year, the state Track & Field Championship meet allows students representing schools from across Kansas the opportunity to shine on the biggest stage,” said Bill Faflick, KSHSAA executive director. “The KSHSAA is grateful for the commitment and effort of the Wichita State Athletic Department to provide an incomparable championship venue for the championship performances of our athletes.”
Construction also continues for Phase 1B of University Stadium. Construction is anticipated to be completed in April ahead of the KSHSAA State Track and Field Meet on May 29-30, 2026.
This phase (1B) of construction consists of widening the field to hold a regulation-sized artificial turf soccer field and installing both field event venues and a nine-lane track. Additionally, sidewalks will connect the east and west sides of the facility inside the stadium.
Improvements to the throwing area south of Charles Koch Arena are also underway as a part of Phase 1B. Additions also include a longer javelin runway, hammer/discus sectors, sprint warmup lanes and a three-sector shot put venue. Shot put competition will move to this area from inside the stadium.
For more than half-a-century, Cessna Stadium was home to one of Kansas’ best sporting traditions, the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championship. The nation’s largest state meet brings boys and girls from all six classifications to one site to compete for titles. Except for 1978 (when track renovations split the meet into three locations), Wichita State has been the site of every state meet since 1970.
Stadium construction phases are designed to allow that run to continue uninterrupted.
For information on donating to the University Stadium project, contact Telly McGaha, president and CEO of WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement, at 316-978-5670.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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