Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Tower Construction Underway
1/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 24, 2007
Deacon Tower at Groves Stadium images
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Dignitaries and representatives from the city of Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University were on-hand for the Deacon Tower groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at Groves Stadium.
The ceremony included remarks from Voice of the Deacs Stan Cotten, Winston-Salem City Council member Wanda Merschel, Wake Forest University President Dr. Nathan Hatch, athletic director Ron Wellman, Deacon Club President Debby Kern and head football coach Jim Grobe.
Deacon Tower is the third phase of the Groves Stadium Renovation Project. The building will include club seats, premium club tables and box suites, a new press box to include print and electronic media accommodations, and ground level restrooms and concessions. The third phase also includes an expanded club/suite/media parking lot, a donor plaza and a signature entry point. The estimated completion date of phase three is June 2008.
 Deacon Tower Groundbreaking Ceremony (Photo by Allen Aycock)  | |
The stadium's original press box, built in 1968, was demolished last week.
Dr. Nathan Hatch, Wake Forest University President:
"Wake Forest has been showered with attention and affection for its stunning football season. Picked to finish in the cellar of our division, Wake Forest finished with a record of 11-3, won the ACC Championship when all was on the line and took Louisville to the wire at the Orange Bowl. We are deeply grateful to Jim Grobe and his staff, to Ron Wellman and all the terrific people in athletics who worked so hard to bring quality football to Wake Forest. It is fitting today that we break ground on the third and the most significant of the Groves Stadium Renovation Project. Deacon Tower will enhance the football game day environment for countless Wake Forest fans who will enjoy this for many years to come. It will continue to enhance the reputation of the University in many ways and I think the vitality of Winston-Salem and the Triad community. We look forward to the 2008 season when our fans will benefit from this terrific venue."
Ron Wellman, Wake Forest athletic director
"When I hired Jim Grobe, he gave me the outline of what he would do to build a football program and I have never seen a coach more disciplined in the manner in which he approached that task. He never deviated from what he said he would do six years ago. The fruits of that labor were evident this year. Just as that football program has a vision, others in the university had a vision of what this stadium could be. Jim described this stadium as what could be the Wrigley Field of college football."
Jim Grobe, Wake Forest football coach
 Deacon Tower Groundbreaking Ceremony (Photo by Allen Aycock) | |
