Move by trustees shows confidence in TSU football

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 1, 2002

Sports Columnist

Troy State’s move to Division I-A in football got its final note of confidence last month when the Troy State Board of Trustees approved a resolution authorizing the athletic department to go forward with an $11 million dollar expansion and upgrade to Memorial Stadium.

The stadium expansion includes an increase in seating capacity from 17,500 to over 30,000. Also included in the project is changing the playing surface from natural grass to field turf and the relocation of the Dr. Jesse Hall Colley Track to another site on campus.

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Yes! Troy State is getting a rug! We won’t have to worry about watering the field anymore. This should be a huge savings as far as maintenance expenses goes, and will be a very nice playing surface for both the college and high school teams.

The surface will be the same type that you’ll find at Nebraska. It’s the best artificial surface you’ll find anywhere.

Construction will begin following the completion of the 2002 season and will be ready for the season opener against Marshall on Aug. 30, 2003.

The track will have to be taken up in order for the east stands to be completely rebuilt. The project also includes 30 or more box suites on the east side of the stadium.

The athletic department has already pre-sold 22 luxury sky boxes and expects to sell out all 30 before the campaign is completed.

The new boxes will be appropriately called the Red Wave Executive Suites.

Of course, the main phase of construction will be on the George Wallace Drive side of the stadium and the seats will be much closer to the playing field then they presently are.

In my opinion, this note of confidence by the TSU Board of Trustees, solidifies the Trojans bold move to Division I-A. It shows that the university means business and is strongly committed to the move.

With over 30,000 seats, Troy State will have the same size stadium as Southern Miss and Marshall.

We will adequately be able to handle the crowds that Marshall and Iowa State will bring when they come to Troy.

The move by the TSU Board is also a big bonus for the community.

Troy, Ala., will have a stadium large enough to attract big schools to our city and campus. That means huge revenue for our city.

The track, of course, is used by hundreds of Troy citizens everyday. Where ever it finds a home on campus, it will continue to be a first class facility.

Can you believe it!? Troy has gone big time in football. Playing the Nebraska’s, Miami’s, Maryland’s, the Iowa State’s and the Marshall’s of the world next season.

Now with a new stadium in 2003 to help with scheduling and lure bigger name teams to Troy, Troy State football is on its way to big and better things.

Go Trojans!