After years of planning, crunching numbers, a $10 million private fundraising effort and an intense nine months of construction, Old Dominion University will open the renovated Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium when the Monarchs host Norfolk State at 7 p.m. Aug. 31.

The clam-shell like stands of old Foreman Field were demolished and replaced with two levels of modern seating. The stadium's $67.5 million makeover will give fans, students and alumni 16,000 new seats with back support and more leg room. There will also be new concession stands, restrooms and a new video board, in addition to three ribbon boards.

The stadium's west side, which is topped by a new press box, is 94 feet tall. That's nearly twice as high as Foreman Field.

This is the first of four weeks of graphics, stories, photographs and maps that we will run leading up to the stadium opening.

The first package includes a timeline of events, from the opening of Foreman Field in 1936 to reconstruction of the stadium, a photo gallery beginning with the last game at Foreman Field until the end of July and maps of the stadium that show where fan amenities, gates and ticket sections are located.