Groundbreaking ceremonies were held March 14 for Rhodes Stadium. Read this note for more details...
Dusty Rhodes addresses an
audience on the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College
campus during Tuesday mornings
stadium dedication.
© ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College
ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College broke ground for Rhodes Stadium, a $13 million, 8,250-seat on-campus facility, during an all-campus celebration March 14. Groundbreaking festivities included a tailgate party, pep band music, souvenir T-shirts and footballs and participation by ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ trustees, faculty, staff, student athletes, cheerleader teams and other students.
Among those speaking at the event were the following:
– Gail Drew, chairperson, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College Board of Trustees
– Leo M. Lambert, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College president
– Akilah Weaver, Student Government Association president
– Dusty Rhodes, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ trustee, stadium benefactor
– Bob McKinnon, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ trustee, stadium benefactor
– Alan White, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College director of athletics
– Rich McGeorge, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ class of 1971; coach, Miami Dolphins 1993-2000;
former Green Bay Packer (1970-78); ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Sports and NAIA Halls of Fame
Rhodes Stadium is named in honor of the Rhodes family by Dusty and Peggy Rhodes of Gibsonville, who have contributed $2 million to the project. The stadium’s field is named McKinnon Field in honor of Bob E. McKinnon, a 1962 ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College alumnus, and his wife, Ray, of Hickory, who have contributed $1 million.
General contractor for the stadium is Beers Construction Co. of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Ellerbe Becket of Kansas City, Mo., is project architect.
Fund-raising continues for other facilities at the complex, including an expansion of the Koury Field House to provide locker room space and construction of a bell tower at the stadium’s entrance.
ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s football team currently plays in Burlington Memorial Stadium at Williams High School, which is several miles from campus. An on-campus stadium is a key step in the college’s transition to NCAA Division I athletics. The project is part of the $40 million Campaign for the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Vision, a fund drive to support the college’s ambitious strategic plan to meet the challenges of the 21st century.