University of Alabama, Bryant-Denny Stadium, North End Zone Plaza

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Firm

Davis Architects

Client

University of Alabama

Area

104,126 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$1,653,689

Completion Date

08/2006

The new plaza at Bryant-Denny Stadium was designed to showcase the Alabama Crimson Tide’s national and SEC football championships and its four national championship coaches, as well as provide a dropoff point and promenade for the players on game day. At the plaza’s northern edge, a dropoff drive allows buses carrying the players to pull off University Boulevard and unload. Once the players depart the buses, a 39-foot-wide, brick-and-concrete promenade greets them as they head toward the stadium. This “Walk of Champions” is highlighted by large granite plaques inset into the brick pavers inscribed with each national and SEC championship that the Alabama Crimson Tide has been awarded.
To the west of this promenade, a more intimate “Coaches’ Walk” was created to provide fans and visitors with an opportunity to stand beside bronze statues of the four national championship coaches—Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul W. Bryant and Gene Stallings. These statues are situated within curved concrete seat walls surrounded by grass and landscaping. One additional seat wall enclosure was provided for future use. The bronze statues were positioned in such a way that their gaze appears to follow the players as they walk toward the stadium. The new plaza also was designed to provide a sense of place for Bryant-Denny Stadium on University Boulevard and to serve as yet another green space for students, faculty and visitors on this beautiful Southern campus.