NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University's football team holds its final practice of preseason camp on Saturday night when the Monarchs hold an intra-squad scrimmage at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The practice will not be open to the public.

The stadium opens to the public on Aug. 31 when the Monarchs host Norfolk State at 7 p.m. The game marks an historic event for ODU – the first game to be played in the stadium following a $67.5 million renovation.

It is the first major venue to open in Hampton Roads since 2002, when ODU opened Chartway Arena.

The stadium offers two more luxury suites and the new Priority Automotive Club, which will hold 388 fans who paid $7,500 apiece for four tickets.

The stadium will offer all ODU fans greater comfort and new amenities than weren't available at Foreman Field. The stadium has 15,932 new sideline seats, all with back support. ODU fans will also enjoy seven larger concessions stands offering themed food. There will also be a new video board and three ribbon scoreboards.

Football Coach Bobby Wilder said the facility “is a big-time stadium” and that his players can't wait to run out on the field for the first time.

“We have 64 players on our roster who played in the old facility and have memories of Foreman Field and what it felt like,” he said. “The stadium that has risen in its place is just remarkable. It is such a huge upgrade for our fans and our players.

“There's a real buzz around our team now. Our players are so excited. They all want to run out of that tunnel, to be the first to represent Old Dominion in the first game played at the new S.B. Ballard Stadium.”

Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:40 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in which President John R. Broderick, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, prominent donors and others will take part.

There will be a parachute drop in which the U.S. Army Daggers Parachute team will deliver the game ball to the field.

ODU officials will hand out 2,500 “I Was There” buttons commemorating the first game at the stadium at the south, east, west and southeast gates. Some will also be passed out before the stadium opens on Kaufman Mall.

There will also be a photo backdrop that says “I Was There” for fans to take pictures.

ODU is also establishing a clear-bag policy, in which fans will be required to pack items they bring into the stadium in clear bags. For more information, please click here.

Tickets have been selling briskly this week for the opener with Norfolk State. More than 1,000 Norfolk State fans are expected, as is one of the largest turnouts of ODU students ever for a Monarch football game.

The marching bands from both schools will perform at halftime.

Good seats still remain. For ticket information, click here.