HICKORY, N.C. – The demolition of the home side stands in Moretz Stadium and installation of temporary bleachers was completed with the final inspection confirmed. The project, which was completed by InProduction, was finished and has a seating capacity of 3,306.

The temporary bleachers feature 10 sections with four middle sections reserved for Bears Club members and corporate sponsors. All Bears Club members will receive their seats in the mail by the end of the week. Access points include ramps on both sides and stairs along the back of every few sections.  ADA access has been improved with a section at the top of the stands for access and ease of view.  The brick wall that had previously served to encase the stands was able to be retained and thus preserves the look and feel that fans and student-athletes have come to appreciate when playing Between the Bricks. 

 "We are appreciative of everyone involved with this project who worked quickly to address the demolition and installation of temporary bleachers," said VP of Athletics Kim Pate. "This was certainly a tight turnaround and we couldn't have pulled it off as smoothly if it were not for great partners like David E. Looper Construction and our friends at InProduction. I've heard a lot of positive feedback from our coaches, alumni, and members of the community on how the temporary bleachers turned out with most people stating that you'd hardly know they were temporary."

The temporary bleachers will be in place for the duration of the 2019 football season. Currently, the development of a more comprehensive design plan for permanent seating and other key stadium renovations are underway with the goal of permanent seating being installed by summer 2020.

"We are excited to embark on planning for a permanent solution with the opportunity to enhance other aspects of the facility to position Moretz Stadium as one of the top venues in Division II," stated Pate. "We look forward to seeing all of our students, alumni, and fans out to cheer on our Bears football team this year as we celebrate 100 Years of LR Football."

Moretz Stadium opened in 1924 and is named for Helen and Leonard Moretz. It is the fourth-oldest stadium in continuous use in NCAA Division II and one of the oldest in the country. In 1960, Moretz Stadium was the site for the NAIA national semifinal football game, which Lenoir-Rhyne won on its way to the only national championship in school history. Moretz Stadium was also home to a 1962 NAIA national semifinal game and a NCAA Division II semifinal game in 2013. The stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 7,500, has hosted seven NCAA football playoff games in its history, including two from the memorable 2018 season, as well as three NCAA men's lacrosse playoff games, including a national semifinal game in 2018.

The season-opener for the Bears Football team is set for Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. against St. Augustine's inside Moretz Stadium, but fans can get an earlier look at the facility Wednesday at the 828 day which will serve as host to the community. The event is free to the public and will be full of family-friendly activities and include an autograph session with student-athletes, spirit squads, and coaches. The evening event will be capped by a visit from the Spirit of LR Marching Band and Joe Bear, LR mascot.