Spring Break
Ground breaking held Saturday
John Olson
Issue date: 10/16/03 Section: Campus News
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The university broke ground on the new state of the art football facility renovations at 2:15 p.m. on the west side of the stadium before the start of the first nationally televised game in Spangler Stadium. The west side is currently the visitor's side of the stadium.
"Saturday afternoon's ground-breaking was a very exciting event for everyone in the athletics department and for those who have been supportive of Gardner-Webb's athletics program," said Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch. "Obviously this addition will have a significant positive impact on all of our teams."
Neal Alexander Jr., chairman of the board of trustees, Frank Campbell, university president, Arnold D. Isaacs Jr., chairman of the board at F.N. Thompson Company, Mary S. Isaacs, of Isaacs & Horne Architects, Inc., Frank Bonner, provost and senior vice president, Shawn Pendergrass, treasurer of the student government association, Chuck Burch, vice president for athletics and Steve Patton, head football coach participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.
"I thought it was a very well done ceremony," said Patton. "We are excited about Arnold Isaacs and F.N. Thompson Construction Company being the one doing the construction."
The stadium project consists of a three-story press box, field house and office facility, along with adding 3,500 seats to the current 6,000 seats in Spangler Stadium. The new renovations also include adding a new athletic training facility, office space and a new weight room for student-athletes.
"The addition of a new weight room and athletic training facility, along with the other improvements included in the renovation, will allow the student-athletes a much better environment to train and develop their skills," said Burch. "The building will aid the recruiting efforts of our coaching staff as we continue to try to recruit the kind of student-athlete who can excel at Gardner-Webb."
The home stands will be moved to the west side of the stadium to give fans a more enjoyable game setting, starting in 2004.
"I think it is not only going to enhance the recruiting of student-athletes," said Patton. "I think locals and more students will have more pride in bringing their parents in."
Spangler Stadium was built as the Bulldogs' home in 1960. Hamrick Field House will be renovated with office space and locker rooms for other existing varsity sports.
Leading the renovation project is F.N. Thompson Company of Charlotte. GWU alumnus Arnold Isaacs is heading the project. Isaacs' project resume includes Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, The Charlotte Coliseum and The Kenan Football Center in Chapel Hill.