NEWS

NEWBERRY — Newberry College broke ground Saturday on the second phase of renovations to its historic athletic stadium.

“The building that will stand where we stand today will literally be a game changer,” said President Maurice Scherrens. “This is about educating the whole student, giving them all the tools they need to be successful, inside and outside the classroom.”

The current project will include new spectator seating and an 18,000-square-foot field house, complete with locker rooms for football, lacrosse and field hockey, coaches’ offices, and field-view classrooms and reception areas. The new building will flank the stadium’s east side, near the Pearson and Walker residence halls.

The project will provide the space and resources necessary to accommodate the burgeoning athletics programs at the college. “When I first came to Newberry College back in 2013, it was a different place, and Athletics was a different program,” said Interim Athletic Director Wayne Alexander.

He went on to note that the college has added six sports in the last seven years — field hockey, men’s and women's track and field, men’s lacrosse, women's triathlon and women’s rugby. The Wolves have logged two conference championships in football, a 2016 title in women’s basketball, a 2019 title in baseball, and six super regional championships and one national championship in wrestling. He also noted the recent completion of the Younts Athletic Performance Center and other recent facility enhancements.

“I know this has been said, because it’s true. There is no better time to be at Newberry College, and it’s getting better all the time,” said Alexander.

“Today the dream comes true for all of us,” said Head Football Coach Todd Knight. “This building will change the lives of student-athletes for ages to come.”

The ceremony was capped with a statement of gratitude from junior Marissa Plumer, of Kent Island, Maryland, a two-sport athlete in field hockey and lacrosse.

“Just knowing that through a pandemic it was possible for people to continue to put us first and give us all the resources to be successful – from a brand-new weight room to new locker rooms and more – is exciting,” she said.

The facility is being designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith and built by JDavis Construction.

The project is the second of three phases of renovations to the athletic stadium. The third phase will include upgrades to the press box and west side seating.

The college will also break ground on its ninth residence hall on Friday, April 29.

For more information, updates and naming opportunities, visit newberry.edu/buildingtheberry.