Monday, August 15, 2011

Saint Augustine's College goes for smaller stadium

RALEIGH, N.C. -- This season, for the first time in more than 50 years, the football team at Saint Augustine's College may fulfill its dream of playing home games on campus. But a new stadium will be smaller than school leaders had hoped.

The college has scaled back plans for a 5,000-seat venue after opposition from neighbors upset at the prospect of noisy crowds and game-day traffic. Instead, Saint Augustine's will seek permission for 2,500 seats - a capacity that won support from Raleigh City Council members in previous negotiations.



The revised proposal, which could go before the council Sept. 6, marks a setback for college officials who wanted more seats to attract recruits and compete for upper-tier NCAA track competitions.

The complex is named in honor of George "Pup" Williams, the longtime track coach who has led his athletes to 31 NCAA Division II track championships.

"To me, it's a slap in the face," said Williams, also the school's athletic director. "Sometimes I wonder how it would have been with Mike Krzyzewski or Dean Smith (pushing for the stadium).

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