Legend Solar donates $10M for DSU stadium

Dixie State University and Legend Solar have announced the largest donation in the St. George school’s history. St. George-based Legend will donate $10 million toward renovating DSU’s Hansen Stadium, which will be renamed Legend Solar Stadium.

Dixie State University and Legend Solar have announced the largest donation in the St. George school’s history. St. George-based Legend will donate $10 million toward renovating DSU’s Hansen Stadium, which will be renamed Legend Solar Stadium.

Legend will also donate a 1,500-kilowatt solar energy system, which will be installed gradually through 2027. The installation is projected to generate enough energy to power the stadium and other buildings on campus and save Dixie State approximately $300,000 a year on its power bill.

Legend Solar co-owners and co-founders Shaun Alldredge and Shane Perkins joined Dixie State administrators in announcing the gift at a special ceremony on the St. George campus late last month.

“We are proud to have Legend Solar partner with Dixie State as we trailblaze our way together into a bright, innovative and energy-efficient future,” said Alldredge, who is an alumnus of Dixie State University. “This solar installation will be the largest at any university in Utah.”

In a statement, the company said Legend Solar Stadium will be the largest, most efficient and fan-friendly public seating venue south of Provo. The gift will allow Dixie State University to expand the stadium to 10,000 seats. In addition to increased seating, an east grandstand structure will house new locker rooms, restrooms, concessions and ticketing.

“Words will never adequately express our appreciation, but we sincerely thank Legend Solar from the bottom of our hearts for making this project a reality,” said Brad Last, DSU vice president of university advancement. 

The west grandstand will remain the foundation of the stadium and will carry the Hansen name for as long as the stadium exists, in honor of the George T. Hansen family, who provided funding for the stadium’s construction during the 1980s, the statement said.

“Without the Hansen family’s generous donation, we would not have a stadium today at Dixie State,” Last said. “We have been in contact with the Hansen family, who have expressed their support for the stadium renovation project and for renaming the facility Legend Solar Stadium.”

Launched in 2012 in St. George, Legend Solar serves Utah, with expansion underway in Nevada and Oregon and planned in Arizona, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.