News > January 18, 2007

By Michael Savitz

Opinion editor

At the completion of the 2006 season, the Athletic Department launched the third part of the six-phase Wake Forest University Football Project.  Major work commenced around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 14, with the demolition of the existing Deacon Tower.  According to the Web site, Wakeforestfacilities.com, the project purports to transform Groves Stadium into one of the premier football facilities in the country.  The construction complements the recent success of the football team and anticipates strong prospects for the growth and success of the program in years to come. 

Athletic Director Ron Wellman likened the future of the university to the Chicago Cubs, saying that “Groves Stadium can be the Wrigley Field of college football,” a small yet prestigious arena. 

The third phase calls for a new, seven-story Deacon Tower on the west side of the stadium that will supply new premium seating to members of the Deacon Club. 

The Tower includes a variety of options and prices, with Upper Level Suites costing an average of about $30,000 per annum.  Twenty-two of these premium spaces were made available. A virtual tour (synthetic New Age soundtrack included) is available on the Web site.  It shows a tree-lined brick walkway and long stairway leading to an imposing facade with roman arches at its base and windows covering its upper half. 

A spacious interior lounge includes coffee tables and leather armchairs with tall tables and chairs placed at intervals along the windows. Suites have two levels, a lower theater-style seating section and an upper level lounge, again complete with leather armchairs.  The goals of the project include increasing the fundraising capacity of the university, as well as providing accommodations befitting the most generous alumni. 

Additionally, as the success of the football team leads to increasing amounts of national television coverage, the presence of the new Deacon tower will enhance the attractiveness of the university in the eyes of potential donors and students. 

Prior to the commencement of the Deacon Tower, over the past two years, the project focused on repairing the field wall brick, making structural repairs to the utilities and installing a new playing field.  After the Tower is completed, phase four looks to the necessities: restrooms and concessions, creating a series of new offerings that closely resemble those at the Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum.  Phase five turns to the field level seating and to the locker room. 

Phase six concludes the construction effort with a new tailgating lot. an “expanding plaza at Bridger Field House.” 

Football Coach Jim Grobe explained the renovations as integral to the success of the program. 

“One of the biggest concerns for recruits is the stadium. We’d like to take the stadium from being a problem to being an asset, not only for recruiting, but for our fans and for our current football team,” he said.