Sports Bound: My Travel Stories, Advice and News: Thursday Night Football Site: North Carolina

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thursday Night Football Site: North Carolina

Thursday night's ACC battle takes place in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where the North Carolina Tar Heels host the Florida State Seminoles. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the year (with this team ranked 20 and 18 respectively) this game was going to be a big ACC showdown. These are teams that have gone from nationally ranked to a combined 0-5 in the ACC heading into late October. One boasts the league's best offense and its worst defense, the other has the best defense and the worst offense. And both have plenty of unfulfilled expectations and frustrated fans. Don't let that fool you though. Every game at this stadium is a memory and any time FSU comes to town, the place is rocking!

Carolina football plays its home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium (cap. 60,000), one of the most picturesque athletic venues in America. Kenan Stadium has been the home of the Tar Heels since 1927.

Considering its majestic setting among the Carolina pines, many observers say Kenan Stadium is the most beautiful football facility in the country. One national sports magazine rated Kenan one of the five best places in America to watch a college football game. For scenery, atmosphere and charm, it cannot be surpassed.

The stadium has been expanded several times since its completion in 1927. In each instance, though, great care was taken to keep its fundamental beauty intact. The addition of the Frank H. Kenan Football Center and the North Side Stadium Preferred Seating Box in 1997 have further enhanced the stadium's status as a campus landmark.

The Charlie Justice Hall of Honor, located on the ground floor, is a multi-media history of Carolina football. Photographs, awards, trophies and artifacts detailing the rich and storied history of the sport in Chapel Hill are on display. The players who have been honored by placing their names and numbers on display in the stadium are also featured in the Hall of Honor. Special plaques, flags and an audio-visual presentation on each player are highlighted.
.
A number of rooms in the Kenan Football Center have been dedicated in the honor or memory of Carolina's benefactors, fans and athletic personalities. They include the Brinkley Lounge, the fourth floor reception area named for Harvey M. Brinkley Jr.; the Don McCauley/Paul Miller Head Coach's Suite; the Norman M. (Buddy) Black Jr. Lounge, the fourth floor hospitality area; the Oscar Davenport/Chris Keldorf Quarterback Meeting Room, as given by Bob Biggerstaff; the Jo Allison Clary Smith Weight Room; the Carolina Football Players' Locker Room, named in behalf of the more than 400 former Tar Heels who donated more than $2 million to the project; the Nassif Offensive Staff Meeting Room; the Ann and Paul Lawing Coaches' Locker Room; Koury Box North, box seating on the north side of the stadium named for Maurice J. Koury; the John W. Pope Academic Support Facility; the John W. Pope Stadium Box, a stadium box on the north side; the John D. Swofford Auditorium and the Jimmy W. Garrell coaches meeting room.

The most recent additions to Kenan Stadium are two ribbon videoboards on the facade of the North and South side upper levels. In 2003, a $2 million scoreboard at the east end of the stadium was added. The scoreboard was financed through an agreement with Learfield Communications, UNC's multi-media rights holder.

Before the game, visit Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery. This restaurant was created to break up all the chains in the Chapel Hill area. With awesome outdoor dining, incredible micro-brews and fantastic televisions this place was voted one of the best places to stop on Franklin Street. Go down there early and grab a few beers before heading to the tailgates and into the beautiful stadium.