Nick Vernon, Campus Carrier Sports Editor
Berry’s new athletic stadium, which has been named Valhalla, is scheduled to open for the upcoming fall semester.
The stadium will be lighted, with a synthetic turf field and an eight-lane running track. The new stadium’s track will allow track and field to become Berry’s newest intercollegiate sport. Valhalla will also be the home of football and men’s and women’s lacrosse.
Berry’s home football games have been held off campus at Barron Stadium and the Darlington School since the team’s first season in fall 2013. The team was second in home attendance in the Southern Athletic Association last year.
Scott Breithaupt, assistant vice president of campaign and leadership giving, said the stadium funding is currently at about $6.2 of the $6.8 million goal.
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| Stadium rendering courtesy of LifeReady |
Vice president for advancement Bettyann O’Neill said she is excited that the stadium construction is nearing completion.
“We are all thrilled to see this vital project come to fruition,” she said. “It will have such an important impact on student life, recruitment, campus and community vibrancy and the ability to draw alumni home.”
Director of athletics Tom Hart said the construction has been motivating for athletes and coaches.
“Decisions are being made on the scoreboard, track facilities and work is progressing on the throws field,” he said. “Soon the stadium will really take shape and turning a drawing into reality is especially motivating for current and future student athletes.”
O’Neill said donors’ generosity has made the stadium possible.
“We can never thank all the people who are behind it – both through their leadership and their generosity – enough,” O’Neill said.
While the stadium construction is nearing its financial goal, it is still possible that the goal may not be met before July 2015, when the facilities are expected to be completed.
Vice president for finance Brian Erb addressed this concern.
“If we do not have all of the funding in hand, we will finance the facility on a short term basis until the gifts have been received,” he said. “In our conversations with alumni, faculty and staff, we have been encouraged by the excitement for the opening of the new facility.”
Erb also said Maple Drive, which has been closed due to the construction of the stadium, will be improved.
“In addition to the stadium and field events, we are also taking the opportunity to widen and repave Maple Drive, which will add to the improvements of the whole area,” he said.
A live video feed of the construction area is available on Berry’s website.