May 22, 2008
PHOTO GALLERY
DURHAM, N.C. - In order to accommodate an anticipated crowd that exceeds the capacity of its own stadium, North Carolina Central University will move its home football game against long-time rival North Carolina A&T State University to Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
The 80th gridiron contest between the Eagles and Aggies will kickoff at 5 p.m. on Oct. 4.
"We are excited about partnering with the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department to bring this historic rivalry to Charlotte," said NCCU Director of Athletics Ingrid Wicker-McCree. "Memorial Stadium provides a terrific atmosphere for college football, and I am sure the fans will enjoy the many accommodations the Queen City has to offer."
A crowd of 19,320 witnessed the last meeting in 2007, played inside Aggie Stadium in Greensboro. Since 1994, the average attendance at an NCCU versus NC A&T football game is 35,478, including a high of 48,001 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh in 1997.
NCCU's O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium seats 10,000 spectators, while the move to Memorial Stadium in Charlotte will allow up to 24,000 fans to enjoy the historic match-up by more than doubling the seating capacity of the Durham venue.
"Memorial Stadium allows us to accommodate the tremendous fan support for this event, while keeping ticket prices affordable and providing an enjoyable experience for our student-athletes and fans," Wicker-McCree said.
As the Eagle/Aggie rivalry itself, Memorial Stadium is also historic.
Constructed in 1936, Memorial Stadium has played host to a speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936, the Shrine Bowl from 1937 to 2000, and, more recently, the filming of the movie "Leatherheads," starring George Clooney, in April 2007.
"We are delighted that NCCU has chosen Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte to play this football game at the historic Memorial Stadium," said James Garges, Director of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department. "We are excited to host this game based on the fact that the rivalry started with an inaugural game in 1924. We stand ready to make this game a memorable event."
For ticket information, contact the NCCU Ticket Office at 919-530-5170 or visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
