CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa and the Iowa High School Athletic Association have agreed to a five-year extension of the contract for the state football playoff semifinals and finals in the UNI-Dome. The new agreement runs through the 2017 season.

“The University of Northern Iowa is proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the IHSAA and its member Iowa high schools,” UNI President Bill Ruud said. “The UNI-Dome is the ultimate destination for thousands of high school football players, their coaches, families and friends. We are pleased to host the playoffs at a venue that provides a positive athletic experience. While high school students and families are on campus this fall for the playoffs, we invite them to our Open Houses, which will provide an opportunity to tour campus, meet faculty and visit the Cedar Valley community.”

IHSAA Executive Director Rick Wulkow and UNI Director of Athletics Troy Dannen agreed to the extension which ensures the semifinal and championship rounds of the grid playoffs to remain in the UNI-Dome. The Dome has hosted the championship games since the inception of the building in 1976 and the semifinal rounds since 1998.

“Each year the UNI-Dome staff and UNI Athletics look forward to putting our best foot forward and providing a venue that exceeds championship standards,” Dannen said. “We look forward to continuing the partnership between the Iowa High School Athletic Association and UNI Athletics.”

“For the past 37 years our high schools, their players, coaches and fans have come to equate the UNI-Dome as the destination for the season,” stated Wulkow. “The facilities are excellent and UNI’s administration and the UNI-Dome staff have been great hosts and partners in accommodating our teams, players and fans while removing weather as a game factor.”

Dates for this year’s semifinals are Thursday through Saturday, November 14, 15 and 16 with the title games on Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22.

— Bud Legg, IHSAA