After a journey that began in 2015 with a price of approximately $26 million, the 7,694-seat ETSU Buccaneer football stadium will officially open Friday, with the first game kicking off Saturday.
On Aug. 24, many gathered outside of the new football field to recognize the Board of Trustees for ETSU to approve the naming of the stadium.
The stadium, designed by McCarty Holsaple McCarty, and built by BurWil Construction Co., was named after William B. Greene, Jr.
Greene, co-founder of Bank of Tennessee, is no stranger to the university. In 2004 the university opened the Warren-Greene Golf Center, which was named after him because of the help he provided for the ETSU golf program. That’s just one of the things Greene has done for the university. He has also assisted students and student-athletes through facilities and scholarships for over 40 years.
Along with Dr. Linda Latimer and the Bank of Tennessee, ETSU President Brian Noland applauded the support Greene has given to the university.
“I want to say thank you to Mr. Greene and the Bank of Tennessee for their longstanding support,” Noland said. “This naming is a recognition of the past, present and future support of Mr. Greene and the bank to the university. This is more than something for a stadium. When we formed our Center of Excellence in Banking decades ago, who stepped up and made that possible? Mr. Greene. When it came time for us to enhance our golf facilities, who stepped up and made that possible? Mr. Greene. And you see what he has done here today. There are individuals who are legends in their communities, and he is a living legend.”
Greene will have a lot to look forward to come Sept. 2 when the William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium will be open for the first time in the game versus Limestone at 7 p.m. With the stadium packed, it’s sure to be a memorable grand opening.
