Brian Kern Family Stadium
Interior view of the stadium in 2024 | |
Madison Location in the United States Madison Location in South Dakota | |
| Address | 610 NE 11th Street Madison, SD United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°1′11″N 97°6′23″W / 44.01972°N 97.10639°W |
| Owner | Dakota State University |
| Operator | DSU Athletics |
| Type | Stadium |
| Capacity | 2,533 |
| Current use | Football |
| Opened | 2024 |
| Tenants | |
| Dakota State Trojans (NAIA) football (2024–present) Madison High School Bulldogs (SDHSAA) (2024–present) | |
| Website | |
| dsuathletics.com/brian-kern-family-stadium | |
Brian Kern Family Stadium is an American football stadium located in Madison, South Dakota. It is home to the Dakota State Trojans football team.[1] The inaugural game was held on August 29, 2024, against Dakota Wesleyan University, in which the Trojans won by a score of 34–3.[2] The stadium is also home to Madison High School's football team.[3] The stadium has a capacity of 2,533.[4]
Blankley Field
The field at Brian Kern Family Stadium is named Blankley Field. It is named after George Blankley, a former instructor, coach, and athletic director at Dakota State University.[5]
Beacom PREMIER Complex
Brian Kern Family Stadium is a part of the Beacom PREMIER Complex, which is a $41 million facility that also includes the Dan Beacom Track Complex.[6] This is the first new athletic facility for Dakota State since 1960.
Namesake
Brian Kern is a resident of Madison, South Dakota and the owner and president of Rosebud Wood Products. Kern attended Dakota State in the 1980s and has been a longtime supporter of the university. In his time at Dakota State he studied business administration and played football. His $5 million donation towards the stadium and the surrounding complex marked the largest donation by a member of the Madison community.[7]
Trojan Nights
Trojan Nights was an event to celebrate the opening of Brian Kern Family Stadium and the Beacom PREMIER Complex. It started with a concert held at Brian Kern Family Stadium on August 27, 2024, that featured Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, and Elle King.[8] The event concluded with the inaugural game against Dakota Wesleyan two days later.[8]
References
- ^ "Brian Kern Family Stadium". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Huntimer, Nick (August 30, 2024). "Chamber of Commerce Traveling Cup returns to Madison as Trojans rout rival Tigers in Brian Kern Family Stadium debut". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Football 2024-25". gobound.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ Terrall, Gracie (September 9, 2024). "College football attendance rising for fans, students". Keloland. Sioux Falls, SD. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ Staff (July 2, 2024). "DSU announces named athletic venues, opening celebration". siouxfalls.business. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
- ^ "Old Dominion to Headline Kickoff Concert of Trojan Nights". dsu.edu. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Brian Kern named Trojan Days parade marshal". dsu.edu. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Zwaschka, Zac (August 30, 2024). "DSU goes all out for Trojan Nights celebration". Madison Daily Leader. Retrieved October 25, 2024.