Kenan Stadium hosts magical nights

Last season it seemed like a simple-enough formula for success: night game + Kenan Stadium = North Carolina win.

It happened against Georgia Tech. It happened against N.C. State. And, most improbably, it happened against then-No. 4 Miami.

There was a buzz in the stadium long before kickoff, students turned out in full force and - in the cases of the Wolfpack and the Hurricanes - fans stormed the field at the end of dramatic victories.

"There's no question in my mind that the positive atmosphere and the energy from the crowd had an impact on the team's performance," said Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "It created tremendous excitement."

And the new season, once again, dawns with a 7 p.m. start Saturday against Wisconsin, another chance for the nighttime magic to continue.

But after Saturday, night owls might have to wait until next year to cheer under the Kenan Stadium lights.

North Carolina determines its own start time only when a TV station (usually an ESPN or ABC network) does not decide to show the game.

And in that case, Baddour said he would lean more toward a traditional 1:30 p.m. start time than an evening kickoff.

"We've got people that travel a good distance to get here," he said. "And they prefer an opportunity to get home at a decent hour."

But Baddour did express excitement about opening with a night game, which should help fill the close to 12,000 student seats in Kenan.

"I think students like those night games," he said. "It should be fun."

In this case, alumni seem to like the night games as well. Associate Athletic Director Clint Gwaltney, who heads up ticket operations, said that as of Tuesday, he had sold all but a few thousand tickets for the Badger matchup - making the potential crowd between 50,000 and 55,000 people.

The atmosphere likely will improve from last season's opener against Division I-AA William & Mary. Only 43,500 turned out for that game, UNC's lowest crowd of the season.

But Gwaltney said the schedule stacks up differently this season, with the marquee opponents at the front of the schedule, rather than the back.

In 2004, the Tar Heels closed the home season against N.C. State, Miami and Virginia Tech - games that all reached or neared Kenan's 60,000-person capacity.

On the other hand, this season the last three home dates are against the less-attractive Boston College, Maryland and Duke.

But, of course, wins and losses mean as much as opponents at the box office.

"Ticket sales will get a strong boost with a win on Saturday," Gwaltney said.

The athletic department also is looking to boost attendance and atmosphere by sprucing up the stadium this year.

The concourse now features large photos and quotes from past Tar Heels and memorials of landmark victories, such as last year's Miami win.

"We added a little extra flair this year," Baddour said.

"(We have) some things that when you enter the stadium will highlight some of the games and stars of the past."

Inside the seating bowl, the retired jersey area has been revamped.

It still features the names of former UNC greats, but now in addition to all of North Carolina's bowl appearances - right up to the 2004 Continental Tire Bowl.

Some of the stars of that Tire Bowl squad are gone, but Baddour hopes the fans are not.

"The student turnout was tremendous (last year)," he said. "Our hope is that it's going to continue.

 

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.