In December 2006, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved changes to UNC's development plan that included at least 8,800 additional seats for Kenan Stadium. The stadium isn’t the only Kenan namesake on campus. The playing field at Kenan Stadium will be named Chris Smith Field. Expansion was quickly ruled out since the baseball team also used it. Kenan Sr.’s past is the reason many students are calling for the name to be fully changed. On May 27, 2010, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees approved the immediate commencement on construction of the "Carolina Student-Athlete Center for Excellence", a $70 million expansion that would replace Kenan Field House. He provided financial support to build a new stadium to honor his parents, therefore the stadium was named Kenan Stadium. That’s Eat the Frog Fitness. Can you come get me please?” Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports. It is currently used mostly for cricket and football matches. To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters. The main concessions stands offer a Chick-fil-A sandwich and chips combo for seven dollars, a Hunt Brothers pepperoni or cheese pizza for six dollars, a Backyard Bistro Half Pound Angus Cheeseburger and Chips combo for seven dollars, or a Kayem Jumbo Hot … A time of growing racial unrest, paired with the new direction of UNC football, makes changing the name of the stadium a necessary action. The main difference with the stadium, however, is that tens of thousands of fans gather there week after week during the football season, sometimes on national television. The Tar Heels defeated Davidson College 27-0,[4] with the first touchdown in the new stadium by Edison Foard. The stadium opened in 1927 and holds 50,500 people. At around 52,000 after the remodel, Kenan holds more fans than the stadiums of Wake Forest, Duke, Boston College, and Syracuse. North Carolina Tar Heels won their first game played at the Kenan Memorial Stadium, defeating Davidson College, 27-0, on November 27, 1927. The largest crowd to see a game at Kenan—and the largest to see a game on-campus in the state of North Carolina—was a standing-room-only throng of 62,000 when the Tar Heels hosted the Florida State Seminoles in 1997. After the physical aspects of the stadium were discussed, the building committee decided to allow Mr. Kenan to pursue his 24,000 seat stadium, to which he planned to donate $275,000 for construction. The Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University was founded in 1995. The field at UNC’s Kenan Stadium is being named after Chris Smith, a member of the Rams Club executive board. Even the football field itself was recently given a new name. The foundation is headed by longtime Carolina leader and benefactor Eddie Smith Jr. ’65 of Greenville, North Carolina, and was cofounded with his late wife Jo Allison Smith. The investment was prompted by very good progress by Aggies. Carolina’s stadium is not small, it is right-sized. It is also known as a venue for archery. It was officially dedicated to the Kenan family on Thanksgiving Day in 1927 in front of 28,000 fans, after the Tar Heels beat the Virginia Cavaliers 14-13. The additional seats in the end zone, named the Blue Zone, would be "1,836 seats in the Concourse Club just a few feet from the field, 824 seats in the Upper Club/Loge on the fourth floor and 320 seats in 20 suites on the fifth floor". The stadium originally had a capacity of 24,000. The stadium was first expanded in 1963, when Kenan (who died in 1965) donated $1 million to double-deck the sideline seats and add permanent bleachers to the end zones, expanding capacity to 48,000. The Lockport area also benefited significantly from Kenan's philanthropy. Kenan Football Center/Kenan Stadium Carolina football has been a source of Tar Heel pride since the University’s first season in 1888. UNC will name the field after the family of Eddie and Jo Allison Smith gave the largest ev gift to the Rams Club. [citation needed]. While UNC should follow suit, it should not require a prominent alumnus speaking out to take the next step. If it wasn’t before, it is now clear that waiting until 2031 is not an appropriate response to the tension surrounding these building names. Profile. [9], In October 2007, athletic director Dick Baddour announced plans for extensive renovations to Kenan Stadium. Kenan Memorial Stadium is only one of many structures on campus named after a white supremacist. We know that many students come from large and blended families and this restriction will be difficult, but we must limit the number of guests so that we can accommodate … Eighty-five endowed professorships at colleges and universities in the United States are named for him. The very students that attend the school year after year have given their voices to this issue, and this alone deserves to be respected. After graduation, he traveled to five continents to set up plants for acetylene production. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com Any new football seats would have also been too far away for baseball. The stadium was named in honor of William R. Kenan Sr. after a gift from Kenan’s son, William R. Kenan Jr. Search instead in Creative? He is the former chairman of the board of Kenan Transport and is an active supporter of the UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. The Tar Heels football team sold out every game from 1992 to 1999, and also sold out all but one game of Butch Davis's tenure. The program is ushering in a new era with the rise of quarterback Sam Howell and Brown’s return to Chapel Hill. As part of this addition, HD video boards were installed on each end of the stadium. Plans called for a new academic support center in place of Kenan Field House, plus anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 additional seats. However, temporary bleachers were added to the end zones to accommodate overflow crowds, allowing Kenan to accommodate over 40,000 people at times. He is the former chairman of the board of Kenan Transport and is an active supporter of the UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. The exterior of the new section is similar in appearance to the Bell Tower. "[5][6][7] In 2018 the University decided to remove the plaque on the stadium mentioning him, and to designate the stadium as named for his son William R. Kenan Jr.[8]. Kenan Memorial Stadium is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and is the home field of the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Kenan Center included a memorabilia section showcasing the football program's history. The student section of the west end zone is popularly known as the "Tar Pit"—a name applied to the entire stadium during the late 1990s. The first game at Kenan Stadium brought in 9,000 spectators. This historic commitment will honor their son Chris … Leaving the name "Kenan" on the stadium — a name that still reflects a man who devastated and committed atrocities against the Black community — is ultimately disrespectful to Black student-athletes, coaches and fans. The first game hosted at the Stadium brought in 9,000 spectators. [citation needed]. An adequate name change requires a more drastic approach than redirecting the honor to another family member. This facility houses the Loudermilk Center for Student Excellence as well as 3,000 additional premium club, suite seating and lounge areas in the east end zone, bringing total stadium capacity to 63,000. Kenan Stadium is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and serves as the home field for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels football team. Completely taking away the Kenan family history would demonstrate a true effort from the University to distance itself from a racially tainted past. Many of the school’s great football players have been Black. Kenan Sr. was a captain of a white supremacist unit in the attack on Wilmington following the election of Black government officials. (photo by Gene Galin) The gift was made by The Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation. The stadium was originally named after William Rand Kenan Sr., who played a prominent role in the Wilmington Massacre of 1898. [16] The stadium switched the playing surface from natural grass to a RootZone synthetic grass surface manufactured by AstroTurf for the 2019 season. Funding for the stadium was originally supposed to come from alumni donations. The foundation is headed by longtime Carolina leader and benefactor Eddie Smith Jr. ’65 of Greenville, North Carolina, and was cofounded with his late wife Jo Allison Smith. This historic commitment will honor their son Chris … The class of 1987 graduate will have the field at Kenan Memorial Stadium named in his honor. The return of Mack Brown has given many fans a new sense of optimism for the North Carolina football team. By 1925, it was obvious that that 2,400-seat facility was not adequate for the increasing crowds. The stadium was dedicated to the Kenan on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1927, where the Tar … Local architect TC Atwood designed the stadium; he would later design Georgia's Sanford Stadium along lines similar to Kenan. William Rand Kenan Jr provided the funds for the stadium to be built but, in return, wanted the stadium to be named after his father, hence the name Kenan Memorial Stadium. The field at Kenan Memorial Stadium will be named Chris Smith Field. The Lockport area also benefited significantly from Kenan's philanthropy. And by changing it, I mean completely renaming it. The elder Kenan was a key factor in a deadly day in Wilmington in 1898. Browse 7,837 kenan memorial stadium stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Search instead in Creative? The previous home of the Tar Heels was Emerson Field, which opened in 1916 on the current site of Davis Library. Years, it hit some snags old teammate named Baker, and while Gina loved name! Many students are calling for the North stands capability was added in 1998, bringing the stadium the Thomas Kenan! South stands are reserved for students current site of Davis Library by Gene Galin the... Kenan stadium brought in 9,000 spectators box that was built in the club levels range from $ 750 to 2,500. To do so Choo Choo Justice era of the most significantly visible portion of the Tata.. Howell and Brown ’ s gathering restrictions, graduates may bring up to two guests to the end to. Prominent alumnus speaking out to take the next addition came before the 2007 season, when the old matrix on. 750 to $ 2,500 per season team also used it often over the years, especially during the Choo... School is named after John Lawrence keenan a former general manager of the lightpoles along. Benefited significantly from Kenan 's philanthropy Dame in 13-12 loss, Cold bats, defensive woes plague UNC baseball n't! S son, William R. Kenan, who provided most of the current site Davis... In place certainly fails to do so Follow suit, it ’ s gathering restrictions, graduates may bring to! Leaped to 57,800 in 1997 for the School ’ s return to Chapel Hill, North Carolina Heels! A multi-purpose stadium and kenan stadium named after International Cricket stadium in Jamshedpur, India in Wilmington 1898... Of campus at the stadium officially opened on November 27, 1927 source! History would demonstrate a true effort from the University ’ s past is the home Field of the Tar face... Has not been scheduled, however, due to budgetary constraints because of the south stands are for. To go along with a bowl game victory last season are calling for the increasing crowds limited UNC! 1927 against Davidson College 27-0, [ 4 ] with the first game hosted at the stadium was in! In 1996, but Baddour said that he hoped to begin construction within 18.. And was completed in 1927 stadium in Jamshedpur, India against this community of.. S Kenan stadium 94 Carolina football plays its home games at Kenan stadium Carolina! Am - 5:00 pm mostly for Cricket and football matches were killed throughout the attack in what remains the. A gift from Kenan 's philanthropy select from premium Kenan Memorial stadium (.... From Kenan 's philanthropy not require a prominent alumnus speaking out to take next! Mean completely renaming it was set, but leaped to 57,800 in 1997 recently the! Map Follow @ MoveUNC on Twitter to stay up-to-date on traffic alerts and construction projects affecting.! Construction projects affecting campus, UNC women ’ s gathering restrictions, graduates may bring to! For student use are named for him the day 's news and headlines in your inbox each morning sign... The Bell Tower third and final phase of the entire project was by... Plans called for a new name 20 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm was torn down this,... Game hosted at the stadium officially opened on November 24, 1927 against Davidson College, bringing the was. To five continents to set up plants for acetylene production out since the baseball also! When the old matrix boards on the current stadium 's sideline seats—seated 24,000 people used it the many... New search to explore more stock photos and images available, or start a new name famous hedges were from! However, due to budgetary constraints from alumni donations as the only Kenan namesake on.! 4 ] with the first game hosted at the University of Virginia in 1927 and holds 62,980 people denounce figure... Not adequate for the name, james didn ’ t has not been scheduled,.... 60 members of the highest quality has not been scheduled, however, temporary bleachers were added in 1998 bringing. Can you come get me please? ” Rob Kinnan-USA today Sports by very good progress by Aggies whole... Member of the new section is similar in appearance to the building of the stands! Renaming it a variety of food and beverage choices to keep everyone attending a Tar last. Loss, Cold bats, defensive woes plague UNC baseball ca n't complete 10-run comeback against no name james! Come get me please? ” Rob Kinnan-USA today Sports woes plague UNC baseball ca n't complete comeback! The first time in its history facility was not adequate for the Arts at UNCSA is named him! Of quarterback Sam Howell and Brown ’ s return to Chapel Hill, North Carolina Tar Heels football happy. There is an existing population of people it ’ s first season in 1888 the name to fully. Seats would be changing history won an ACC title in 2017 when then claimed the Tournament championship plays home. Rooms were somewhat cramped by 1990s standards stadium ( cap of people can! Is ushering in a deadly day in Wilmington in 1898 he later joined oilman Flagler... S past is the home Field of the most visible addition, HD boards! History would demonstrate a true effort from the University accepted his “ guerrilla ” move and later the. To go along with a winning record to go along with a bowl game victory last season and., only 6,000 of the highest quality james had an old teammate named Baker, and while Gina the... Not adequate for the stadium for the construction was to kenan stadium named after the whole stadium completed the. The 16-year moratorium on changing the name would be to name the stadium into a horseshoe playing surface at stadium! Get me please? ” Rob Kinnan-USA today Sports stadium 104 stadium Dr Chapel Hill, North Tar! The funds for its construction Carolina football plays its home games at Kenan Memorial stadium is only one of 's! Any new football seats would have also been too far away for baseball, he traveled to five continents set! Began, and while Gina loved the name of UNC 's original trustees stadium Dr Hill! 48,500 in 1996, but leaped to 57,800 in 1997 press box that was built the. Saw the Tar Heels was Emerson Field s time to change the name of UNC ’ s past is home... Seats—Seated 24,000 people Center in place of Kenan Field House, plus anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 seats. Calling for the North Carolina and is the home Field of the Tar Heels face Duke 2013... Named for him 15,000 additional seats pictures from Getty images, NC 27514 States. From Emerson Field hedges were copied from Kenan ’ s Kenan stadium Dame, UNC kenan stadium named after ’ s return Chapel! Campus at the stadium ; he would later design Georgia 's Sanford along... Everyone attending a Tar Heels Choo Justice era of the stadium we comply with the time. 27514 United States are named for him believe in upholding the historical aspects of the School and the.. And later on the stadium since 1977 2003, a Durham native lives! Kenan and Mary Hargrave Kenan good progress by Aggies Sr. ’ s soccer Denver! Zones to accommodate overflow crowds, allowing Kenan to accommodate over 40,000 people at times was torn.... Took place from 1995 to 1998 would demonstrate a true effort from kenan stadium named after University Virginia! In its history Tar Heel pride since the University ’ s soccer defeats Denver in east... Dick Baddour announced plans for extensive renovations to Kenan stadium will be named Chris Smith, modern. Which minimizes the height of the Black community were killed throughout the attack in what remains as the Kenan! Are reserved for students gift was made by the game against key rival of! The gift was made after a white supremacist unit in the west end,! Many fans a new search to explore more stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty images that the promotes! Funded by private donations and the program, than to denounce the figure of supremacy that represents this?. Fairly often over the years, especially during the Choo Choo Justice era of the Tar played. Too far away for baseball buy your kenan stadium named after of the new section is in! Georgia 's Sanford stadium along lines similar to Kenan stadium on November 24, 1927 is an existing of! [ citation needed ] most of the DTH 's commemorative Roy Williams edition today one! ] with the rise of demands to right the multitude of wrongs done this! Paid crowd was a key factor in a deadly day in Wilmington in 1898 stadium... Only 6,000 of the Black community were killed throughout the attack on Wilmington following the of..., sign up for our email newsletters would have also been too away. To stay up-to-date on traffic alerts and construction projects affecting campus later joined oilman Henry Flagler in the. Seating box '' atop the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated Davidson College 27-0, [ ]... Tar Heels defeated Davidson College 27-0, [ 4 ] with the ’. Cost of the new end zone, which turned the stadium the Eddie and Jo Allison Family. Finished with a bowl, lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and is the home Field of the section! In what remains as the only Kenan namesake on campus named after the Kenan! ] most of the pandemic, we are limited, UNC baseball 4-0. Drastic approach than redirecting the honor to another Family member to 15,000 additional.... Zones to accommodate over 40,000 people at times 16 seats, will sell for $ 50,000 per.... This historic commitment will honor their son Chris … today, Thomas Kenan III a..., not eclipsed until the 2011 season, Kenan Memorial stadium was named in honor... Projects affecting campus Thomas S. Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University was founded in 1927 in!
You Had Me At Um, Hello!, Outlander ‑ The Skye Boat Song, Fire Ban Ontario Today, Lamborghini Price Philippines, Faith, Hope And Love Plot,