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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga eyes plans for old field

By: John Frierson
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Staff Photo by Angela Lewis-- Chamberlain Field will be the site of the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga Blue and Gold scrimmage game to be played on Chamberlain Field on Friday.

Six weeks ago, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team wrapped up its spring practice at Chamberlain Field. That beautiful April 18 afternoon at the Mocs’ former stadium in the heart of campus was equal parts scrimmage, new player showcase, alumni gathering and fond farewell.

More than 75 former Mocs attended the scrimmage, which was followed by an alumni reception, and athletic director Rick Hart said Thursday that he’s still getting positive feedback from the event.

“People are still remarking about how much they enjoyed it and how appreciative they are that we invited them back,” Hart said.

The alumni gathering was part of an important initiative by the athletic department and development office to reach out to former UTC athletes in all sports, many of whom had been out of touch with the school for years. Vice Chancellor Richard Brown said the event was good for the university as a whole, not just the athletic department.

“We were really excited about having the public, as well as the alumni, back at Chamberlain Field,” Brown said. “It’s been an important part of the campus for a long time.”

The final spring practice also was a probable football farewell to the old stadium, which could be torn down, at least in part, as that area of campus is reconfigured to accommodate a $48 million, 18,000-square-foot library that will be built in the adjacent parking lot.

Brown said the plans for the field and the remaining stands are still being discussed. He said the front facade facing Oak Street could remain and be restored as a way to honor the football team’s home for 86 years, possibly as part of a new alumni reception facility.

“We think Chamberlain Field will stay in some form. We would like for it to be a place for multiple uses, where people can still come out and kick a ball around if they want to,” he said. “We will always honor the heritage of Chamberlain Field. We’re going to put together a planning committee ... to talk about what Chamberlain Field can become as we begin to build facilities around it.”

Brown said he hopes that within a year there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the new library.

In the meantime, Chamberlain Field will be a busy place this summer as the site of UTC women’s soccer coach J.D. Kyzer’s camps, which begin June 9.

The Mocs have played their home games at the off-campus Finley Stadium for 10 years now without a lot of success (22-32 record) and without much support. Their average home attendance in six games last season was 6,264, which ranked 66th among Football Championship Subdivision teams.

After the good turnout at the spring gathering, Hart said he’d be interested in doing some more on-campus events for alumni during football season, either before or after the games.

“I think if there’s a way for us to incorporate activities on campus on game days, without taking anything away from what’s going on at Finley, that would be something we should probably consider,” he said. “How we do that in a meaningful way that ties into the game, I don’t know at this point.”

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