Funding Plan Approved to Start Football in 2013

Board of Trustees Voice Support For 49ers Football

Dec. 11, 2009

Charlotte, N.C. - The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees, today, unanimously approved a funding plan that will allow the Charlotte 49ers to begin football in 2013.

The plan, which utilizes a debt service fee, eliminates any uncertainty of when the 49ers will start football and eliminates the need for temporary rentals for the start-up facility.

Instead, the funding plan allows the university to take full advantage of the current market in terms of interest rates and competitive bidding. The debt service fee in addition to the current fundraising dollars allows the university to move forward with concrete plans to start football in 2013.

"This is a great day for this university," said Ruth Shaw, chair of the Board of Trustees. The plan received full support from the board, as well as student body president Joey Lemons. "This is a (project) that students have continued to advocate for," Lemons said. "Students never want to see a fee increase, but (for this project) the students (have shown) overwhelming support."

The decision by the Board of Trustees will require approval by the Board of Governors in January or February and final approval from the legislature, this summer.