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UNI, IHSAA announce five-year extension for Iowa high school football playoffs in Cedar Falls

dargan southard, des moines register
·2 min read

For several decades, the UNI-Dome has been a staple of Iowa high school football. That relationship is set to continue for several more years and beyond.

The University of Northern Iowa and the Iowa High School Athletic Association announced a five-year extension Tuesday that will keep the state's football semifinals and championship games at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls through at least the 2027 season.

"The IHSAA is excited to continue its partnership with the University of Northern Iowa to host our football semifinal and championship games at the UNI-Dome," IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said in a release. "This agreement extension ensures that high school football players and teams can continue to pursue the 'Road to the Dome' and fans may continue to enjoy attending those games out of the elements and in the comfort of the UNI-Dome."

The UNI-Dome has hosted the final two weekends of the Iowa high school football season since its opening in 1976. The 2022 playoffs drew an estimated 54,000 fans across the 21 games, 14 semifinal games and seven title games across the seven classes, a big contribution to the UNI-Dome's "estimated $17 million in annual economic impact."

"For decades, countless young (people) in Iowa have pursued the goal of reaching the UNI-Dome and hoisting a state football championship trophy," UNI AD David Harris said in a school release. "We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the IHSAA in bringing the final two weeks of the Iowa high school football season to the UNI-Dome, our campus and our community.

"The unmatched atmosphere of the UNI-Dome has helped create countless memories for young student-athletes around our state, and we are excited to help continue that tradition in making more memorable moments come to life."

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: IHSAA football playoffs to remain at UNI-Dome through at least 2027