In 1923, Ira Burton and Mary J. (Hardtner) Blackstock of Springfield, Illinois, were the first to donate $25,000 for the purchase and improvement of land for the stadium. In 1941, Blackstock Stadium was completed and dedicated, costing nearly $100,000.00, of which $80,000.00 was a gift from Mary Blackstock in honor of her husband who tragically passed away on July 25, 1931.
The stadium was renovated in 1997 and includes dressing rooms and showers for varsity and freshman teams, visiting teams, coaches and officials. There is an enclosed press box subdivided into separate rooms, one for press, operators of the public address system, and radio broadcasting equipment. In the back of the stadium is an athletic field providing facilities for the football, baseball, track and outdoor intramural athletics. The layout includes two football fields, two baseball diamonds, five speedball fields and an eight-land, quarter-mile cinder track. It features a large all-brick grand stand on the west side seating 3,000 people. The complex is home to DePauw football and men's and women's track and field. In August 2013, an 87,000-square foot AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D Xtreme synthetic turf was installed and named for the long-time DePauw football coach, Nick Mourouzis. The 2013 renovations also included a new 8-lane Beynon 2000 all-weather track with inside steeplechase pit, 4 long jump/triple jump runways, 2 pole vault runways and high jump venue.
Ira Blackstock was a DePauw alumnus graduating in the class of 1886. He received an M.A. degree from DePauw in 1893 and in 1907 was made a trustee of DePauw University. He began his business career as business manager of the Springfield News newspaper. He became manager of an ice and cold storage company in Springfield, Illinois and later was identified with railroad companies serving as president of one and vice president of another.
Mary Blackstock was a philanthropist and civic worker. She received her college education from private tutors. She was the treasurer of the northwestern branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary society, trustee of the First Methodist church, president and Board of Trustees member of the Springfield YWCA, president of King's Daughters Home for eight years, director of Springfield Goodwill Industries, member of Springfield Art Association, Washington Street mission and Illinois Church council. Notably, she was the first woman to be elected a trustee of DePauw University, and served as MacMurray College and Illinois Wesleyan University trustee.