North CaroliNa Football • KENAN STADIUM - HOME OF THE TAR HEELS Stadium. The football center is named in honor of the late Frank H. Kenan, one of the school’s most generous benefactors. Kenan was a Durham resident and chief executive officer of Kenan Transport Company in Chapel Hill. He passed away at age 83 in 1996. Kenan, a 1935 Carolina graduate, was the great-great- grandson of General James Kenan, a member of the University’s founding board of trustees. An Atlanta native, Kenan had a tremendous impact on the growth of the University. He served on many campus boards, including the Board of Visitors and the Educational Foundation Board of Directors. In recent years the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, of which he was a trustee, has Carolina football plays its home games at Kenan by a special gift by the former executive producer donated more than $100 mil- Memorial Stadium (cap. 60,000), one of the most of the Tar Heel Sports Network and president of lion to schools in the state’s consolidated university picturesque athletic venues in America. Kenan Vilcom. The theater is a 30-person mini-theater system, including Carolina, NC State and the N.C. Stadium has been the home of the Tar Heels since equipped with surround sound and seven dramatic School of the Arts. Among other things, the trust 1927 and the thrill of playing in or attending a game videos presenting the history of UNC football. funds 92 William R. Kenan Jr. Professorships at 56 there is as exhilarating now as it was when it was A number of rooms in the Kenan Football Center colleges and universities nationwide. first constructed. have been dedicated in the honor or memory of Kenan served on the steering committee of Considering its majestic setting among the Carolina’s benefactors, fans and athletic personali- Carolina’s Bicentennial Campaign, the University’s Carolina pines, many observers say Kenan Stadium ties. They include the Brinkley Lounge, the fourth largest fund-raising effort. Gifts by him, his family is the most beautiful football facility in the country. floor reception area named for Harvey M. Brinkley and the trust during the campaign exceeded $31 mil- One national sports magazine rated Kenan one of Jr.; the Don McCauley/Paul Miller Head Coach’s lion. The largest portion of that was targeted for the the five best places in America to watch a college Suite; the Norman M. (Buddy) Black Jr. Lounge, the business school. In 1991 the school was renamed the football game. For scenery, atmosphere and charm, it fourth floor hospitality area; the Oscar Davenport/ Kenan-Flagler Business School after a $10 million cannot be surpassed. Chris Keldorf Quarterback Meeting Room, as given gift. The stadium has been expanded several times by Bob Biggerstaff; the Jo Allison Clary Smith The preferred seating box that rises above the since its completion in 1927. In each instance, Weight Room; the Carolina Football Players’ Locker second deck of the grandstand on the north side of though, great care was taken to keep its funda- Room, named in behalf of the more than 400 former the stadium has outdoor seating for almost 1,200 mental beauty intact. The addition of the Frank H. Tar Heels who donated more than $2 million to the spectators. That includes the Chancellor’s Box on Kenan Football Center and the North Side Stadium project; the Nassif Offensive Staff Meeting Room; the second level of the box 45 feet above the ground. Preferred Seating Box in 1997 have further enhanced the Ann and Paul Lawing Coaches’ Locker Room; The fourth level, 68 feet high, has outdoor seating the stadium’s status as a campus landmark. Koury Box North, box seating on the north side of for more than 1,000, plus concessions and a 7,500 The Kenan Football Center houses the Carolina the stadium named for Maurice J. Koury; the John square foot lounge. There is a smaller lounge and football program, including the locker rooms, weight W. Pope Academic Support Facility; the John W. food preparation areas on the third floor. room, training room, equipment room, players’ Pope Stadium Box, a stadium box on the north side; The Kenan Football Center and preferred seating lounge, computer labs and study areas, 100-plus the John D. Swofford Auditorium and the Jimmy W. box are the predominant changes in a multi-year seat auditorium, coaches’ offices, theater and Hall Garrell coaches meeting room. renovation plan that began in 1995. A new playing of Honor. The 1997 expansion project, in which great care field was installed that spring. The new turf includes An additional floor was added to the Kenan was taken to ensure that the surrounding environ- an improved drainage system beneath the field that Football Center after the 2008 season. The fifth ment would be altered as little as possible, ties the drains through the field itself rather than off the sides floor contains additional office and recruiting space north and south concourses to either end of the lower of the field as in the past. Prior to the 1996 season for the day-to-day operations of the football pro- deck via the third level of the Kenan Center, making the restrooms and concession stands were expanded gram, four premium gameday suites, a larger video fan movement around the stadium much easier. That and renovated. and studio facility and a state-of-the-art press confer- project also added nearly 8,000 seats, a state-of-the- Another significant stadium expansion took place ence area. The recruiting area and suites also are art football facility, chancellor’s box and preferred prior to 1988 and involved adding 2,000 choice seats used as academic study areas during the week. The seating box. The renovation and expansion project between the 40-yard lines where the press box and second floor was completely renovated for increased was financed through a combination of private con- chancellor’s box formerly stood. A new press box football meeting spaces, including bigger individual tributions through the Educational Foundation and was constructed on top of the upper deck on the sta- position meeting rooms and a larger team meeting bonded indebtedness from the athletic department dium’s south side. It is a one-level elongated struc- room. The fourth floor renovations added additional through the sale of revenue-generating bonds. The ture, running from 10-yard line to 10-yard line. office space for football support staff. Educational Foundation and its members committed The Charlie Justice Hall of Honor, located on the more than $50 million to the project. Kenan Stadium’S LargeSt CrowdS ground floor, is a multi-media history of Carolina Two ribbon videoboards on the facade of the Attendance Opponent Year football. Photographs, awards, trophies and artifacts North and South side upper levels were added in 1. 62,000 Florida State 1997 2. 61,000 South Carolina 2007 detailing the rich and storied history of the sport in 2007. In 2003, a $2 million scoreboard at the east 3. 60,500 Texas 2002 Chapel Hill are on display. The players who have end of the stadium was added. The scoreboard 60,500 Notre Dame 2008 been honored by placing their names and numbers was financed through an agreement with Learfield 5. 60,250 NC State 2002 on display in the stadium are also featured in the Communications, UNC’s multi-media rights holder. 6. 60,000 Florida State 1999 Hall of Honor. Special plaques, flags and an audio- The $2-million-figure includes the cost of the video 60,000 NC State 2004 visual presentation on each player are highlighted. board, installation and a new public address system. 60,000 Wisconsin 2005 The James A. Heavner Theater was made possible Over 40 new speakers were added throughout Kenan 60,000 NC State 2008 TarHeelBlue.com • 105 North CaroliNa Football • KENAN STADIUM - HOME OF THE TAR HEELS CaroLina’S reCord at Kenan Stadium 1927......................... 2-0-0 1985......................... 3-3-0 1928......................... 2-2-1 1986......................... 4-1-0 1929......................... 4-1-0 1987......................... 1-4-0 1988......................... 1-5-0 1930......................... 3-0-2 1989......................... 1-5-0 1931......................... 3-2-0 1990......................... 4-2-1 1932......................... 2-3-1 1991......................... 6-1-0 1933......................... 3-2-0 1992......................... 5-1-0 1934......................... 3-1-1 1993......................... 6-1-0 1935......................... 4-0-0 1994......................... 5-1-0 1936......................... 3-1-0 1995......................... 4-2-0 1937......................... 2-1-1 1996......................... 5-0-0 1938......................... 2-2-0 1997 ....................... 5-1-0 1939......................... 5-0-0 1998 ....................... 3-2-0 1999......................... 1-5-0 1940......................... 3-2-0 1941......................... 1-4-0 2000......................... 3-3-0 1942......................... 3-0-1 2001......................... 5-1-0 1943......................... 3-1-0 2002......................... 0-6-0 1944......................... 1-3-1 2003......................... 1-5-0 1945......................... 2-2-0 2004......................... 4-2-0 1946......................... 4-0-1 2005......................... 4-2-0 1947......................... 4-1-0 2006......................... 2-5-0 1948......................... 4-0-1 2007......................... 4-2-0 1949......................... 4-1-0 2008......................... 5-2-0 1950......................... 2-2-1 • Most Wins: 7 - 1980 Also part of the 1987-88 project were a perma- North Side. Another lasting memory of William 1951......................... 2-3-0 • Most Losses in a Season: nent lighting system, a chancellor’s lounge on the R. Kenan Jr. is the Kenan Athletic Scholarship 1952......................... 0-4-0 6 - 2002 north side of the field and a football lettermen’s Endowment, valued at over $1,000,000. Each year 1953......................... 2-3-0 • Record in the 1920s: 1954........................