In the first game played at Kenan Stadium, Carolina defeated Davidson, 27-0, on November 12, 1927.  As originally built, the stadium seated 24,000.  As of 1998, 60,000 fans can be seated to watch the Tar Heels play.

William Rand Kenan Jr. deserves the credit for originally making the stadium a part of the University.  He was born in North Carolina in 1873 and graduated from Carolina in 1894.  The stadium was built as a memorial to his parents, William R. Kenan and Mary Hargrave Kenan.  Construction began in November 1926 and was completed the following August. Complete cost of the stadium and accompanying fieldhouse was $303,000.

The stadium has been expanded several times since its completion in 1927.  The most recent additions, completed in 1998, include the Frank H. Kenan Football Center and the North Side Stadium Preferred Seating Box.  The Educational Foundation and its members have committed more than $43 million to the project.

The new football center is named in honor of the late Frank H. Kenan, a 1935 Carolina graduate and one of the school's most generous benefactors.  Kenan was a Durham resident and chief executive officer of Kenan Transport Company in Chapel Hill. He passed away at the age of 83 in June 1996.

The Kenan Football Center is one of the most impressive structures of its kind in the country.  The four-level structure houses the Carolina football program, including the coaches' offices, locker rooms, weight room, training room, equipment room, players' lounge, computer labs and study areas, academic coordinator's office, 100-plus seat auditorium, theater and Hall of Honor.

One little known feature at the Kenan Football Center centers around the many fans, graduates, and former players and coaches who contributed a minimum of $1000.  These contributors have their names engraved on what is known as the Donor Wall.  Actually the Donor Wall is a series of memorial walls located to the left of the football center entrance.  Last weekend I visited Kenan Stadium and found my name.  Did you find yours?

At the dawn of the John Bunting era, my fondest hope is to see Kenan Stadium filled to capacity each and every game.  As the growing passion for Carolina Football continues, I envision yet another expansion project to create a bowl by enclosing the old field house.  It's only six days a year, but I consider Kenan Stadium my home away from home.  How 'bout you?