UNC-Pembroke Football?

[CoastalFan2005]

I was up visiting some friends/playing a gig in Fayetteville, NC this weekend. In conversation with a friend who goes to UNCP, he told me that the major buzz around their campus is that they're getting a I-AA football team very soon. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[TexasTerror]

They just hired a football coach...

http://www.uncp.edu/athletics/football/05-06/news/shinnick_hiring.htm

I know they are eyeing 2007 as their first season. Their football stadium would be in no condition for I-AA. They'd need major improvements as they're throwing their football at their soccer/track facility, unless I'm missing a link about upgrades somewhere...

http://www.uncp.edu/athletics/facilities/soccer.htm

About them bringing back football...

http://www.uncp.edu/athletics/football/05-06/news/football_approval.htm

[CoastalFan2005]

http://www.uncp.edu/athletics/football/

That would answer my main question, nevermind

[CoastalFan2005]

Thanks!

[Mountaineer]

Whoa, pretty cool. I hope they are successful. The more colleges playing football in NC the better I say. :hurray: :cool:

[JMU Duke Dog]

:eek: BELK STADIUM?!?!?! :bang:

[TxSt02]

http://www.uncp.edu/athletics/facilities/images/belk.png

If UNH played on the road they would feel at home...

[hapapp]

My son is a senior at UNCP. He just finished his final season playing soccer for the Braves. At this point, my understanding is that UNCP will compete, as they do in other sports, as a D2 member of the NCAA.

The plan is to convert the existing soccer facility which seats a 1000 or so into the football field. If I recall, they hope to create a facility that will seat 3-4000. I don't think they have any plans to make the leap all the way to 1AA.

Recently, Pembroke alumnus, Kelvin Sampson arranged a money game between his Oklahoma Sooners and the Braves. Not sure how much was raised but clearly many are excited about the resurrection of the football program.

[rokamortis]

In all fairness it is a track facility, I'm sure they'll increase the seating or build a new stadium.

Also, everything I read is that they'll stay DII and not planning to move to DI.

[Husky Alum]

Is that Belk as in the Belk Department Store chain?

If so, the guy is LOADED.

[rokamortis]

Is that Belk as in the Belk Department Store chain?

If so, the guy is LOADED.

Yeah - he is donating to to many collges in the Carolinas, especially to track facilities and building giant mascot statues. Unfortunately CCU hasn't been on his radar.

[Mountaineer]

A nice profile on the man:

http://www.nccbi.org/NCMagazine/2005/mag-08-05exprobelk.htm

The old and now new library (it's huge and absolutely gorgeous) at ASU is named for his wife - Carol Grotnes Belk.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1440/farthing3rs.jpg

[gophoenix]

A lot of Elon's track money came from the man....