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Aug. 2, 2006
Deacon Tower will include club seats, premium club tables and box suites, a new press box to include print and electronic media accommodations, and ground level restrooms and concessions. The third phase also includes an expanded club/suite/media parking lot, a donor plaza and a signature entry point. The third phase of the project will begin pending sufficient demand for premium seats, as well as successful generation of revenue through fundraising and sponsorship. The Wake Forest University Football Project is being conducted in several phases. The first phase, the addition of brick work on the grandstand facades, was completed in August 2005. The second phase, completed in July 2006, was the installation of a state-of-the-art FieldTurf surface, plus structural, electrical and plumbing repairs. Deacon Tower, expanded parking and the signature entry point is the third phase. The fourth phase includes concourse improvements, such as concession stands and restrooms on the east and west concourses and Deacon Hill area. The fifth phase includes a new home locker room and new field level seating and endzone suites. The sixth phase calls for a renovated tailgating lot with a new Deacon Tailgate Zone and an expanded plaza at Bridger Field House. Funding for the project will be generated through box suite and club seat revenue, sponsorship opportunities and increased ticket sales, concession revenue, novelty sales, non-gameday rental and fundraising.
Statement from Ron Wellman, Wake Forest athletics director:
Statement from Jim Grobe, Wake Forest football coach: FACT SHEET
Deacon Tower Press Box; BB&T Field
Special features:
Deacon Tower By The Numbers:
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Jim Grobe, head football coach On the state of the program: "We are going into our sixth year with our current staff and we have had an ongoing plan for the football program. When we came here, we had two main problems. First, we had to start playing better football. We had to establish respect on the football field. Secondly, we had a real facilities issue. It was hard to turn in any direction and find facilities that are comparable to the ones in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Our first priority has been to gain respect on the field. I think the first couple of years we were able to do that and I think we are continuing to do that. Our number one priority was to build foundation and we are doing that." On the previous facility improvements: "Secondly, when we arrived, we knew that we had a facilities issue and there was a lot that needed to be done. We also knew that we had to move one step at a time. Ron Wellman has done a great job in improving that part of our facility by adding lights on the practice field, renovating our offices, meeting rooms, locker rooms - all the things we need for recruiting were taken care of. In addition, he was able to resurface the practice field and it is a great facility now. At the stadium, we were able to come and brick the face of the stadium, renovate the training room and of course, the new FieldTurf. We tried to make it look better for recruits and fans. These are great steps for us." On the planned facility improvements: "Now that we have tackled all the on-campus facilities, it is time to tackle the biggest problem -- BB&T Field. There haven't been any significant changes to the stadium itself since it was built in 1968 and that is the last piece of the (facilities) puzzle. This is an exciting time for Wake Forest football and over the next three or four years we will take the last step that we need. We will continue to coach and recruit as hard as we can and this is the final piece of the puzzle for our program." Barry Faircloth, associate athletic director for development On the reasons for the improvements: "We have been focused on the on-campus facilities with renovation work as part of the overall effort to address our football team. We see football as an asset and what we are doing is we are investing in the asset. We have invested in the on-campus facilities and we are now working on the stadium."
The primary benefits of the improvements: "One of the primary benefits of investing at BB&T Field is our fans. Modern day fans expect better facilities -- better restrooms and better concessions, better options and better access. We are competing with youth soccer, and various entertainment options on Saturdays. Unless we address those basic issues, we can't fill our stadium. Fans also expect some premium options and the Deacon Tower phase really introduces those options in the form of box seats and club seats."
On the secondary benefits: "Secondly, we want to benefit the athletic department. We have the greatest opportunity for growth in revenue with our football program. If we can really get football going where it is consistently sold out every Saturday, the sky is the limit as to what it can do for the athletic department and how it can help fund our other sports."
University benefits of the renovation: "This project also benefits the University through exposure. The athletic department is the marketing arm of the Wake Forest and when the games are televised nationally, that markets to the most talented kids and makes them want to come to school here. Our hopes are that they get a great education and come back and support our program. From the university perspective, it also re-engages the alumni and makes them want to come back to BB&T Field and Wake Forest."
Community benefits of the improvements: "Finally, it helps the community at-large. Our core market is families and we feel that we offer a wholesome, affordable environment to families. We want to be an attractive and entertaining environment for the entire Triad community. By packing BB&T Field every Saturday, it will have a great economic impact to this area."
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