Expanded ThunderBowl ready to welcome fans

(PUEBLO, Colo.) — A ribbon cutting was held on Wednesday, Aug. 27 to showcase Colorado State University (CSU) Pueblo’s completion of expanded suites at the iconic ThunderBowl Stadium.

The renovation work began in February, with the goal of elevating the fan experience at the stadium ahead of the upcoming football season. The four new suites range from 470 to 578 square feet each, and feature upgraded amenities, expanded seating and modernized facilities.

The remodel relocated two suites from the east side to the west side and added an additional suite, creating a consistent and elevated look to the building.

Wednesday’s ribbon cutting also featured the dedication of the wall of champions and the east-side press box, named for Robert “Bob” Rawlings, who was a supporter of not just CSU Pueblo, but an advocate for the Pueblo community as a whole.

“It’s really an honor for our student athletes to be able to to come into an athletic department and walk into the ThunderBowl and see Bob’s name on the east side press box as a daily reminder of what he did for them and the impact that he made,” said Dr. Paul Plinske, VP for Athletics and Strategic Partnerships at CSU Pueblo.

Rawlings, who passed away in 2017, was the Chairman and Editor of The Pueblo Chieftain, Sunday Chieftain and Pueblo Star-Journal, and his foundation, the Robert H. Rawlings Foundation, has supported students and athletics at CSU Pueblo with donations totaling more than $2 million.