A multi-million dollar makeover is headed for Byrd Stadium following a $35 million loan from the state, which the Board of Regents approved Friday.
In addition to approving the loan, the board elected Clifford Kendall as its new chairman during its annual meeting at Frostburg State University. It also approved a bachelor’s degree in music education and a doctoral degree in anthropology for the university.
The loan, which was granted to the Athletics Department, will fund 60 luxury suites, rails to lower-level aisles, chair backs and additional handicapped seating. The press box inside Tyser Tower will be expanded to make the stadium more symmetrical.
“It will balance out to some extent,” said Joe Hull, senior associate athletics director. “Aesthetically, it will give a good closed feel to the stadium.”
The stadium revamp is estimated to reach $50 million, with the additional $15 million primarily coming from fundraising efforts. The Athletics Department is responsible for repaying the $35 million loan.
Hull said the stadium will still be called Byrd Stadium, but the department is trying to sell the field’s naming rights. The department is looking at groups that would not promote alcohol, tobacco or any other inappropriate products for the school.
“I hope it is a company that would mix well with the presence of the University of Maryland,” Hull said.
The Athletics Department is in the process of hiring a designer who would take about a year to finalize the plans for the stadium starting in the fall. Afterwards contractors will be allowed to bid on building rights for the stadium additions.
The entire project, which the Athletics Department has been working on for a couple of years, probably won’t be finished until the 2008 season, Hull said. A completion date will be easier to determine after the design is finished, he said.
“We’ve had to scale back somewhat, but we’re very excited and feel this is a wonderful plan,” he said.
Kendall to replace Nevins
Kendall, who was previously chairman from July 2002 through June 2005, will replace David Nevins, whose term ends on June 30.
Nevins asked the board not to reelect him for another term because of his demanding commitment as senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Constellation Energy Group. “Being chairman takes a great deal of time and my professional demands of late have been so time consuming, I felt it was best to dedicate more time to them,” Nevins said, citing the time commitment involved in attending numerous meetings at various campuses.
Increasing professional demands was the same reason Kendall had stepped down as chairman after serving his three previous terms.
“Cliff and I stand for the same things – access, quality and excellence,” Nevins said.
Kendall said he hadn’t expected to be asked to serve as chairman again but figured he would do it because he enjoyed working with the board members and the chancellor during the past few years.
“When the governor appointed me, I was delighted. I’m primarily interested in higher education at this point in my life,” Kendall said.
Both Kendall and Nevins expected a smooth transition period and Nevins said he anticipated the system would do “quite well under his leadership.”
Nevins, who plans to continue on the board as an active member, said he couldn’t be more pleased with the year the system had.
“I leave quite proud of the accomplishments my colleagues and I have achieved,” he said.
Contact reporter Caren Oppenheim at oppenheimdbk@gmail.com.
