Football, tailgating and fun were the highlights of the day as Elon University opened its new, on-campus Rhodes Stadium Sept. 22. Details...
Elon fans brought coolers, grills, tents and lawn chairs to campus as Elon opened Rhodes Stadium Sept. 22. To view more photos from opening day festivities, click here.
In various campus parking lots and On the Green, located behind Moseley Center, students, alumni and members of the community enjoyed tailgate parties in preparation for Elon’s home opener against North Carolina A&T State University. Although the Phoenix suffered a 23-7 defeat to the Aggies, it couldn’t dampen the spirits of a day Elon fans had anticipated for so long.
“We’ve been waiting for this,” said Justin Consuegrah ’99, of Greensboro, N.C., who was joined by classmates Andy Manry of Greensboro, Shannon Weidman of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Allan Slider of Raleigh, N.C., in the Harper Center parking lot. “We’ve been excited about being able to come here and enjoy a game on campus.”
Consuegrah and his friends also revealed their secrets for a successful tailgate party. “You’ve got to have a good grill, some Jimmy Buffet tunes, hot dogs, burgers and Krispy Kreme doughnuts,” Consuegrah said.
Jim Beasley, a member of the planning board for the Town of Elon, also had his grill fired up, along with a patriotic Old Glory tablecloth. Beasley said he expected his wife and son to join him for a pregame feast On the Green before heading to the stadium.
“I love the campus environment here at Elon,” Beasley said. “We came primarily for the tailgate, but we also are looking forward to the game in that beautiful stadium.”
Rich McGeorge ’71, a star player for Elon who went on to enjoy a successful professional career as a wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers, was excited to see Rhodes Stadium become a reality. “To me, this is such an absolutely wonderful day for Elon, and particularly the football program” said McGeorge, who enjoyed a tailgate party with his son, Jason ’00. “To see people already in the lots, two hours before the game, is so exciting.”
Elon’s new marching band, “The Fire of the Carolinas,” made their debut with Saturday’s festivities. Nearly 90 musicians played for tailgaters On the Green, before marching to Rhodes Stadium. Chaplain Richard McBride offered an invocation, and a moment of silence was observed for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Music faculty member Ken Lee led the crowd in the singing of “God Bless America,” and “The Fire of the Carolinas” played the national anthem.
Elon President Leo M. Lambert was joined on the field by Dusty and Peggy Rhodes, the stadium’s major benefactors, for a ribbon cutting ceremony before the game.
A crowd of 10,450 was on hand to watch Elon take on local rival North Carolina A&T State University. Although the Phoenix trailed just 10-7 at halftime, the Aggies scored two second half touchdowns to secure a 23-7 win.