Bigger than ever before

Williams Stadium expansion set for completion prior to 2019 football season

 

As the Liberty University football team inches toward the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), construction of the $40 million expansion of Williams Stadium, which will include additional seating, suites, and more concession stands, has begun.  

 

The expansion is planned to be completed prior to the 2019 season, right before Liberty becomes a full member of the most competitive conference in college football.

 

According to Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw, the timing could not be better.

 

“It’s an expansion to meet the demand of the FBS, but it’s also an enhancement to meet the demands of fans who want a great game experience,” McCaw said.

 

“I think we already do well at Liberty, but we are going to ramp it up to a new level.”

 

Although the majority of construction will take place during the off-seasons, the architect team and construction staff have already begun to remove seats and pour in the footers for the new balcony.

 

Colonnades will be featured in the new expansion, lining both sides of the entrance.

 

When fans enter the arena, they will have the option of either going right to the student center or left toward the reserved seating.

 

“It’s going to be a very functional space,” Mickey Guridy, the senior associate athletics director for internal operations, said.

 

“It’s going to be the centerpiece when you drive on campus. It will be the first thing you see.”

 

The most significant change will be the student section on the east side of the stadium.

 

The student section currently contains one concession stand and a bathroom facility.

 

After completion, the student section will include more seating, better bathroom facilities and multiple concession stands.

 

“It’s going to be a huge boost for students,” Guridy said.

 

According to McCaw, the construction process is broken into two phases, one following the 2017 season, and the other following the 2018 season.

 

“It’s a labor-intensive process that just takes a while,” McCaw said.

 

During his 13 years as athletic director at Baylor University, McCaw was instrumental in the creation of McLane Stadium, a project costing nearly $300 million.

 

Todd Patulski, Liberty’s senior associate athletics director, worked with McCaw to build McLane stadium.

 

Both are contributing their knowledge and experience to create the best possible environment for Williams Stadium.

FLAMES NATION — The student section will be a notable feature in the new stadium.
Photo Provided

“The Williams Stadium expansion is obviously a different type of project, but we’ve at least been able to bring some of the ideas and concepts that I think will really serve us well,” McCaw said.

 

“What we’re hoping to do is take some of the best ideas of McLane to this project.”

 

According to Gurity, the administration is in close contact with Vice President of Major Construction Daniel Deter, who informs them of the process.

 

Guridy said minor traffic issues may occur in part one of the process, but that the wrap-around brick colonnades will add a lot to the overall look of the stadium.

 

“Progress is a process,” Guridy said.

 

“And we’re going through the process.”

 

The Liberty indoor track facility and the indoor practice facility are two of Liberty’s most recent projects, but the Williams Stadium expansion, according to Guridy, may be the most significant.

 

“(Our previous projects) were great projects, and they all benefit us in a lot of ways,” Guridy said.

 

“But upgrading our football program to the FBS in the process of expanding our stadium helps everyone too.”

 

As Liberty merges into the FBS, teams like Auburn, Rutgers and Virginia Tech will drift toward Liberty’s radar.

 

“We are going to be moving into a neighborhood with the best established universities in the nation,” McCaw said.

 

“And that’s a great place to be.”     

 

Smith is the asst. sports editor.

 

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