Clarkson to hit Kinnick
Kayla Kelley - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Metro
A beloved football stadium, a two-time Grammy award winner, and thousands of fans could produce a sold-out show, the Iowa athletics department hopes.
On April 18, Kelly Clarkson will make her first appearance in Iowa City in the first concert ever held in Kinnick Stadium.
"From my perspective, doing a show at Kinnick will be historic," said Shannon Boshart, the SCOPE director of operations.
The Burleson, Texas, native is only one entertainer in a series by MSL Sports and Entertainment that puts on the annual Gridiron Bash: The Ultimate Fan Competition parties at Division I schools nationwide.
The New York-based company will foot most of the bill for the event, said Rick Klatt, a Hawkeye associate athletics director.
He said the athletics department was approached by MSL to hold the concert last spring, but until that point, the athletics department had not looked to host a concert in the football stadium.
MSL plans to make more than $12 million on the 20-plus universities by having the concerts simultaneously.
Klatt hopes Clarkson will draw a large crowd, but he couldn't estimate how many will attend. Still, even with low attendance, he doubts whether the university would lose money on the event.
Boshart sat on a consultant board for the concert that decided which artist would be the best fit for the university.
"She stood out in our minds because her sound is universal," she said. "It still sounds fun even if you don't know the words."
Klatt agreed with this perception of the "American Idol" winner.
"With this particular performer, we may draw a different group of people to the stadium," he said.
He said the university is guaranteed $300,000 from the company, some of which it will need to pay minimal expenses.
Other events associated the Gridiron Bash include the USA Today Bash for Cash, local opening acts, and an introduction of athletes and coaches.
On the night of the event, the stadium will be transformed; an NFL-compatible stage is assembled on the football field to protect the playing field.
Klatt said the stage will be set up facing the west grandstands -which can hold up to 30,000 people - and will touch the first row of the stands.
"The purpose is the celebration of college football, and we want to build a weekend around it," he said.
The football team's last spring practice will be on April 19, and the Hawkeye softball, baseball, men and women's track and field, and tennis teams will host events over the April 18 weekend.
Klatt said he hopes participation on April 18 will encourage people to attend the other sporting events.
He added he hopes tickets will be on sale later this week at $35 each.
E-mail DI reporter Kayla Kelley at:
kayla-kelley@uiowa.edu
Gridiron Bash
Other universities will be celebrating with these famous artists:
Taylor Swift: Tennessee
Goo Goo Dolls: Kansas State
ZZ Top: Texas A&M
Fergie: Penn State
Counting Crows: Colorado
Maroon 5: TBA
Dwight Yoakam: TBA
Montgomery Gentry: TBA
On April 18, Kelly Clarkson will make her first appearance in Iowa City in the first concert ever held in Kinnick Stadium.
"From my perspective, doing a show at Kinnick will be historic," said Shannon Boshart, the SCOPE director of operations.
The Burleson, Texas, native is only one entertainer in a series by MSL Sports and Entertainment that puts on the annual Gridiron Bash: The Ultimate Fan Competition parties at Division I schools nationwide.
The New York-based company will foot most of the bill for the event, said Rick Klatt, a Hawkeye associate athletics director.
He said the athletics department was approached by MSL to hold the concert last spring, but until that point, the athletics department had not looked to host a concert in the football stadium.
MSL plans to make more than $12 million on the 20-plus universities by having the concerts simultaneously.
Klatt hopes Clarkson will draw a large crowd, but he couldn't estimate how many will attend. Still, even with low attendance, he doubts whether the university would lose money on the event.
Boshart sat on a consultant board for the concert that decided which artist would be the best fit for the university.
"She stood out in our minds because her sound is universal," she said. "It still sounds fun even if you don't know the words."
Klatt agreed with this perception of the "American Idol" winner.
"With this particular performer, we may draw a different group of people to the stadium," he said.
He said the university is guaranteed $300,000 from the company, some of which it will need to pay minimal expenses.
Other events associated the Gridiron Bash include the USA Today Bash for Cash, local opening acts, and an introduction of athletes and coaches.
On the night of the event, the stadium will be transformed; an NFL-compatible stage is assembled on the football field to protect the playing field.
Klatt said the stage will be set up facing the west grandstands -which can hold up to 30,000 people - and will touch the first row of the stands.
"The purpose is the celebration of college football, and we want to build a weekend around it," he said.
The football team's last spring practice will be on April 19, and the Hawkeye softball, baseball, men and women's track and field, and tennis teams will host events over the April 18 weekend.
Klatt said he hopes participation on April 18 will encourage people to attend the other sporting events.
He added he hopes tickets will be on sale later this week at $35 each.
E-mail DI reporter Kayla Kelley at:
kayla-kelley@uiowa.edu
Gridiron Bash
Other universities will be celebrating with these famous artists:
Taylor Swift: Tennessee
Goo Goo Dolls: Kansas State
ZZ Top: Texas A&M
Fergie: Penn State
Counting Crows: Colorado
Maroon 5: TBA
Dwight Yoakam: TBA
Montgomery Gentry: TBA
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
It's about time
posted 2/04/08 @ 11:13 AM CST
Maybe SCOPE is actually for real. And it's about time that Kinnnick is used for other events.
T Bird
posted 2/04/08 @ 5:22 PM CST
Whoop de doo, a washed up American Idol performer.
rbthorn7
Richard
posted 2/04/08 @ 11:09 PM CST
Hooray!! I assume the profits go to help out the struggling music department.
Post a Comment