EMPORIA (KSNT) - Out with the old, in with the new.
Emporia State football fans will see an upgrade to Welch Stadium when attending home games in 2024. That upgrade comes to the seating.
Over the summer, the Hornets replaced old seats/seatbacks that were originally installed in the 1990's. Those options, seen in the background of a screengrab from the 2023 season, came from the Kansas City Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium removed them for renovation.
The new chairs, unlike the old ones, feature arm rests, cupholders and Emporia State emblems.
From a distance, the over 900 chairs spell out 'ESU' in alternating yellow and black.
Emporia State head football coach Garin Higgins says that there's a 'facilities race' in the MIAA conference, and the Hornets' new addition shows the commitment the athletics department has to competing at a high-level.
"Starts with attention to detail, with whatever that might be, whether it be, you know, helmets, shoulder pads, seats," Higgins said. "I mean, all those things are important when you have a program and you want to do things in a first-class manner. That's how I look at it. Everything we do, we want it to we want to do it in a championship manner."
The Hornets kickoff the season with rival Washburn in Emporia on Thursday, August 29.
