With Coastal’s new NCAA I-AA football program scheduled to begin competition in fall 2003, Warren “Moose” Koegel, director of athletics, has unveiled a new design for the university’s state-of-the-art football stadium. To be built at the corner of University Boulevard and Highway 544, the new stadium will have a seating capacity of between 10,000 and 12,000 with room for expansion as the program develops. The home side of the stadium will include a press box and hospitality area.

In an effort to create a horseshoe design to the stadium, a two-story, 54,000 square-foot multi-purpose athletic complex will be built directly behind the north endzone. The first floor of the building will include locker rooms for the football and men’s and women’s soccer programs, a 4,000-plus square-foot weight room and a state-of-the-art athletic training facility. One of the highlights of the building will be an area for Coastal’s Athletic Hall of Fame. The second floor will house the athletic administration offices as well as office space for a majority of the coaches. There will also be a sports gallery recognizing all of Coastal’s 17 athletic programs.

“This new facility will benefit all of Coastal’s athletic programs,” said Koegel. “The football stadium we are planning will be nothing short of first-class. It will be something that the fans will really enjoy and the community can be extremely proud of. A top-notch stadium will allow us to recruit the best student-athletes for our program.”

Groundbreaking for the stadium and multi-purpose athletic complex is scheduled for early 2002.

According to Koegel, many giving and/or naming opportunities are available for individuals interested in supporting Coastal’s new football program. For more information, contact Koegel or Chris Johnson, assistant athletic director for development, at (843) 349-2466.