Reece
Murphy
Dunn
Daily Record
Reporter
Reprinted
with Permission
Campbell
sports fans, many decked out in the school's bright orange and
black colors, gathered at the site of the school's future football
stadium on U.S. 421 last night to celebrate the start of a new
sports era in "The Creek."
"Are y'all ready for football?" Associate Athletic Director for
Media Services Stan Cole asked the crowd to start the
groundbreaking ceremonies.
The answer? A resounding "YES!" made up of nearly a thousand
voices.
Campbell announced last year its plans to bring football back to
The Creek after a 53-year absence of the sport. Last night's
groundbreaking for the proposed 1,200-seat stadium to play in was
the largest step to date in making football again a reality
here.
Last night's event was an extravaganza featuring speakers, the new
football team, cheerleaders, the school's pep band and
fireworks.
"The most exciting place to be on earth right now is right here,"
Athletic Director Stan Williamson said to thunderous applause.
"Come Aug. 30 (2008) when the Camels take the field, this will
again be the place to be!"
Mr. Williamson was not alone in his use of the word "exciting." In
fact, it was the word most commonly used throughout the night to
describe feelings about the new program.
"It's exciting," Campbell alumni Rusty Brown of Erwin said. "It
brings football closer to our town. We don't have to go to Raleigh
or Chapel Hill anymore - we can enjoy NCAA football right
here."
"This is a big deal," Student Government Association President Ryan
Jones said. "Football will really reshape Campbell University.
"College sports is so big in North Carolina," he said. "This is
going to bring Campbell into that as well and that means more
funding, more community interest and more community support."
Campbell Athletic Director Stan Williamson agreed and said the
excitement factor associated with football is what makes the sport
so special to a school.
"Football brings an excitement like no other sport can," he said.
"Football is an event, a six- to eight-hour event.
"It's not only the game itself, but all the pageantry associated
with the game. There's nothing more exciting than a college
football game," he said.
During last night's groundbreaking event, Campbell unveiled a
billboard featuring an artist's rendition of the new stadium.
The new stadium was designed by architect Ron Smith of McMillan,
Smith and Partners in Spartanburg, S.C.
"This level of football is a great way to spend a Saturday
afternoon," Mr. Smith said. "We think this stadium is very family
friendly with not only seating in the stands, but at the end zones
as well, where there will be grassy hills.
"This is the third school we've worked for with a start of a
football team," he said. "It's an honor for us to do it, and people
are so excited, it's one of those things you'd almost want to do
for free."
Head coach Dale Steele said he and his players are already working
hard on getting ready for next year's season start.
"What sports, and especially football, does at a school is create a
lot of good memories," he said. "That's an important part of the
education process.
"We've got a good group of young people in our program and we're
looking forward to getting started," he said.
Finally, one of the special guests at last night's event was Bob
Rouse, a member of the 1946-1948 Championship Campbell football
team.
Mr. Rouse said he thinks the school is forward-thinking in
restarting the program, because the excitement of the sport will be
a great draw for Campbell and a great diversion for students and
alumni.
He said a good football program will bring a great dividend to this
campus by increasing the excitement level at the school, and will
enhance Campbell's image.
With the voice of experience, he described how that excitement
will feel.
"There will be some sadness in defeat," he said. "But there will be
immeasurable joy in the victories. So grab on to this roller
coaster, because it's going to be a great ride."
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