It's a much needed addition to the University of Mary Hardin Baylor campus, and today students got that much closer to walking through the doors of their new stadium and student union building.
A glimpse of what's to come, prayer, and hundreds of loyal fans in attendance set up the perfect scene for the ground breaking of the $50 Million stadium and student union building.
Jonathan Davis is a Junior at UMHB. He's gone to his fair share of football games, but is ready for change. "Every student really just wants to have that kind of division one feeling you know. Just a stadium on campus and just brings the campus together," says Davis.
No more games at Belton High School. The new stadium will sit 10,000 and place the stadium right in the heart of campus. Something administrators say is already uniting the campus. "It's not hard to be passionate about the Mary Hardin Baylor experience and it's easy to see when you're around these students why were so passionate about what we do on our campus," says Dr. O'Rear.
Coach Fredenburg saw the crusaders through one of their best seasons and hopes this stadium will continue their good luck. "This is really a new beginning for us. I'm really excited about what its going to do and the opportunities it's going to present for us," says Coach Fredenburg.
Jonathan will graduate before it's completed, but says he'll make the trip back to walk through the stadium doors. "I'm going to miss out on some of the fun but I'll definitely be back for homecoming," says Davis.
This is all part of UMHB's $100 Million campus improvement plan. The complex would be used for other student activities and would include restaurants and a coffee shop. It is expected to be completed by Fall 2013.
Reporter : Tania Ortega Email: tortega@kcentv.com
Photographer: Rudy Villarreal
