The
Gar drier-Webb UrLiaersity
Thursday, October 16, 2003
www.gwupilotcom
Volume 7 No. 5
Ground breaking held Saturday
Renovations under way
John Olson
Sports editor
Gardner-Webb University made
history on Oct. 11 at Spangler Stadium.
The university broke ground on the
new state of the art football facility ren
ovations 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 after-
noon's ground-breal^||“77ie buHdiltg Will aid
ing was a very exci^^^» ... „
ing event for every- recruiting efforts of
one in the athletics our COaclung Staff US
department and
those who have bee^^
supportive of
Gardner-Webb's ath
letics 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, uni
versity 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, treasur
er of the student government associa
tion, Chuck Burch, vice president for
athletics and Steve Patton, head foot
ball coach participated in the ground
breaking ceremony.
"1 thought it was a very well done
On the Inside
Student injured"
in a recent car
accident...
ceremony," said Patton. "We are excit
ed 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 renova
tions also include adding a new athlet
ic 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 ren
ovation, will allow
the student-athletes
a much better envi
ronment to train
and develop their
skills," said Burch.
"The building will
aid the recruiting
efforts of our
coaching staff as'
we continue to tiy
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-ath
letes," 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
we continue to try to
recruit the kind of
student-athlete who
can excel at
Gardner-Webb. ”
— Chuck Burch,
VP for Athletics
Photo by Jared Smith
Interim President Frank Campbell gives a speech on October II at the groundbreaking ceremony for
the renovation of Spangler Stadium.
House will be renovated with office
space and locker rooms for other exist
ing varsity sports.
Leading the renovation project is
F.N. Thompson Company of Charlotte.
GWU alumnus Arnold Isaacs is heading
project. Isaacs' project resume includes
Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, The
Charlotte Coliseum and The Kenan
Football Center in Chapel Hill.
page 2
Controversy over
downloading
music hits
GWU...
page 3
Noel House
serves GWU
students....
page 5
Spotlight on
new volleyball
coach...
page 10 ,
Bulldogs win
first televised
football game.
page 11