The Tennessee Vols’ football team will be entering a new era Saturday night when it opens the season against UT-Martin under first-year coach Derek Dooley.
Neyland Stadium will be entering a new age as well, as it has undergone perhaps its most significant exterior change since the facility opened as Shields-Watkins Field in 1921.
The change is so drastic that the numerous Chattanoogans heading up to Knoxville for the game – particularly those who have not been there since last fall – might even wonder if they are at the right place.
Gone is the roller coaster ride, erector set look of visible metal beams and poles on the expansive west side. Replacing it is some fancy collegiate gothic brickwork befitting a Roman coliseum of old.
“It has a brand new look, a stunning entrance,” said David Elliott, UT assistant athletic director for event management, during a media tour Thursday as workers were putting the finishing touches on the structure. “It has that wow factor.”
As part of a $19 million project, the outside work - other than the new brickwork - includes a plaza, a new amphitheater on the hill where fans can gather to watch the pre-game radio show, a free-standing and massive Gate 21 (which will also serve as a bus stop cover for students during the rest of the year), and plenty of wrought iron fencing adorned with orange “power Ts.”
A lighted Neyland Stadium sign also now hangs on the west side.
Large vintage football photographs also hang in the new area like priceless paintings. Among the old Vol heroes featured are the late Chattanoogan Reggie White, Johnny Majors (as a player), coach Bob Neyland, Al Wilson, Doug Atkins and, of course, Peyton Manning.
A statue of Gen. Neyland will also be unveiled in the area at a later date.
Upstairs and inside the stadium, select donors will also get to experience the Tennessee Terrace, a large concession room with numerous TVs, hanging murals representing various Tennessee football traditions, and a large patio. The terrace area leads to the newly renovated west upper deck, where the old 2,800-seat area that was built in 1962 has been remodeled into an 1,800-seat area with comfortable chair-back seats.
Fans here will also be able to look down on the Vol football players, who are switching from the east to west sideline this year.
The Tennessee Terrace should give the Vols an upper hand on some of their Southeastern Conference counterparts, officials said.
“We’re the first to put a terrace type concept in,” said Bud Ford, UT associate athletic director for media relations.
Despite the fancy trimmings, however, UT officials say that a priority was to make the facility look like a college football stadium, not one belonging to a National Football League team.
“The fans will appreciate Neyland Stadium,” said Elliott. “It’s still very much a college football stadium -- with a lot of amenities.”
Jcshearer2@comcast.