Gaston Gazette (N.C.)
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte 49ers officially broke ground on their new football stadium complex on Thursday, as 49er fans packed the on-campus fields where the stadium will be located. Charlotte will begin playing football in 2013.
A crowd of over 3,000 saw head football coach Brad Lambert officially break ground with a front-end loader after Lambert, Chancellor Dr. Philip Dubois, Athletic Director Judy Rose, Student Body President Megan Smith, President-elect Dave Craven, Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees Gene Johnson and Football Feasibility Committee chair Mac Everett gave speeches praising the dedication of everyone who helped bring football to Charlotte.
“This is one of the largest crowds we have assembled,” Dubois said. “Today we are here to celebrate another milestone in the history of this institution. Nearly as soon as I began my duties as the University’s fourth Chancellor, one of the first questions I would be asked was ‘when are we going to have football’. With the input and support of faculty, staff, students, alumni, our Board of Trustees and many dedicated community members, we were able to answer that question. That was step one, and since then, we have been laying the groundwork for today.”
Rose then introduced Lambert who was greeted by the crowd chanting his name.
“How about this crowd,” Lambert said. “This facility is going to be first class. When I was doing research on this position; I saw the effort and passion going into this building. I could not have been more impressed. We are all fortunate to be part of this program, literally building this thing from the ground up. We are going to make history here, and when we take the field in the Fall of 2013, we take the field with you all on our side.”
After the ceremony, junior Isaac Caughran of the Charlotte men’s soccer team drilled a field goal through the center of the uprights of a temporary goal post. Alumni Association president Greg Ross and Norm the Niner then led the Special “Pick-Axe Team” out of the tunnel to a shower of confetti.
Lambert and student Micah Powers, the President of Niner Nation Gold, then tore up the turf with two front-end loaders that they drove from under the goalposts.
“This is what gameday will look like,” Lambert said. “People tailgating, kids throwing footballs and an awful lot of fun and excitement. This is just great. What a wonderful day.”
The inaugural home game is slated for Aug. 31, 2013 vs. Campbell.
