Charlotte 49ers football
Encyclopedia
The Charlotte 49ers
are a collegiate football program that represents the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
. The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees officially voted to add Forty Niner football on November 13, 2008, after a unanimous recommendation by the Football Feasibility Committee. The program will take the field in 2013.
and Belmont Abbey
, and losses to Davidson
JV, Catawba College
JV, and Clemson
's "B" team. The team hosted 2 home games that year at American Legion Memorial Stadium
. In part due to the effects of World War II
, the football program ended after the 1948 season. The final football game was played on October 27, 1948.
On July 12, 2006, a group of 15 UNC Charlotte students and alumni held the inaugural Charlotte 49er Football Initiative (CFI) meeting. The mission of this group was to "promote the creation of a Division 1 college football program at Charlotte," eventually employing methods such as a promotional website, merchandise sales and a pledge campaign. A student organization, Charlotte Football Advocates (later CFI Students), became a part of the larger CFI group during the fall of 2006. In February 2007, UNC Charlotte students voted overwhelmingly in favor of football in an official campus-wide vote and the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees voted to authorize $150,000 to study adding 49ers Football, and establishing a Football Feasibility Committee to be headed by outgoing board president and prominent Charlotte businessman Mac Everett. The committee held several meetings throughout the summer of 2007, plus three public forums in the fall of 2007.
In December 2007, the Football Feasibility Committee voted unanimously to recommend the addition of 49ers football. In September 2008, a major student-led March to the Endzone rally held on campus. On September 18, 2008, Chancellor Dubois officially recommended adding a 49ers football program with the condition that its fans first raise $5 million to help fund the stadium complex. On November 13, 2008, the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees voted to add a Charlotte 49ers football program by 2013.
The 49ers will play Independent during their years in the FCS subdivision.
defensive coordinator, Brad Lambert
, as their head coach. At his introductory press conference, Lambert introduced former West Virginia
offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen
as Charlotte's offensive coordinator. On April 4, 2011 James Adams, Cornerbacks Coach for Wofford College and Trevor Lambert from the Wake Forest
football staff, joined the 49ers coaching staff. On April 21, 2011 Bruce Tall, former Defensive Line Coach of the Michigan Wolverines
was hired as Defensive Coordinator.
In February 2008, a fundraising capital campaign was established and led by prominent community leaders. These leaders included Mac Everett, Johnny Harris and Gene Johnson. Additionally, three other UNC Charlotte alumni were introduced as executive chairs: David Hauser, chief financial officer for Duke Energy Corporation; Bob Hull, chief financial officer for Lowe's Companies, Inc; and Joe Price, chief financial officer for Bank of America Corporation.
Seat licenses are being sold in three tiers of seating: Green, Gold and White Gold. Green seat licenses are being sold at $1,000 per seat and will be located between the 30 yard line and the end zone; Gold seat licenses at $2,500 per seat and will be located between the 30 yard lines; and White Gold seat licenses at an undisclosed amount in a block of exclusive seating. Seat locations will be determined by the ticket holders' Charlotte 49ers Athletics Foundation rank which is determined by the amount of the cumulative financial contribution the donor has made to the Foundation.
's Bright House Stadium.
On February 12, 2010, the University of North Carolina
Board of Governors approved a debt service fee increase to fund the construction of the football stadium and football center, and on August 2, 2010 Governor Bev Perdue
signed the debt service fee bill into law to clear the way for stadium construction. Designed by the architecture teams of Jenkins-Peer Architects and the DLR Group
, its location was shown near the campus entrance at Highway 29
north of Hayes Stadium. On April 28, 2011 Charlotte held a groundbreaking
ceremony for the football stadium. The stadium is scheduled to be complete in summer 2013 to allow for the 49ers first all-time game against Campbell
on August 31, 2013.
Charlotte 49ers
The Charlotte 49ers represent the NCAA Division I sports teams of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Charlotte joined the Atlantic 10 in 2005. The 49ers field 16 teams, 8 men and 8 women....
are a collegiate football program that represents the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
. The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees officially voted to add Forty Niner football on November 13, 2008, after a unanimous recommendation by the Football Feasibility Committee. The program will take the field in 2013.
Team history
In 1946, 22 young men began practice as the college's first athletic program: a football team. The team finished the season 2-4, with wins over Pembroke StateUniversity of North Carolina at Pembroke
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke , also known as UNC Pembroke, is a public, co-educational, historically American Indian liberal arts university in the town of Pembroke in Robeson County, North Carolina....
and Belmont Abbey
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College is a private liberal-arts Catholic college located in Belmont, North Carolina, USA west of Uptown Charlotte. It was founded in 1876 by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey...
, and losses to Davidson
Davidson College
Davidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. The college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine, although it has recently dropped to 11th in U.S. News...
JV, Catawba College
Catawba College
Catawba College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA. Founded in 1851 by the North Carolina Classis of the Reformed Church in Newton, the college adopted its name from its county of origin, Catawba County, before moving to its current home of Salisbury...
JV, and Clemson
Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are any team that represents Clemson University as a member of the NCAA's Division I or in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference....
's "B" team. The team hosted 2 home games that year at American Legion Memorial Stadium
American Legion Memorial Stadium
American Legion Memorial Stadium is 21,000-capacity stadium located on 7th Street in the Elizabeth community of Charlotte, North Carolina. Memorial Stadium is mainly used for high school sporting events and also serves as a public venue...
. In part due to the effects of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the football program ended after the 1948 season. The final football game was played on October 27, 1948.
On July 12, 2006, a group of 15 UNC Charlotte students and alumni held the inaugural Charlotte 49er Football Initiative (CFI) meeting. The mission of this group was to "promote the creation of a Division 1 college football program at Charlotte," eventually employing methods such as a promotional website, merchandise sales and a pledge campaign. A student organization, Charlotte Football Advocates (later CFI Students), became a part of the larger CFI group during the fall of 2006. In February 2007, UNC Charlotte students voted overwhelmingly in favor of football in an official campus-wide vote and the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees voted to authorize $150,000 to study adding 49ers Football, and establishing a Football Feasibility Committee to be headed by outgoing board president and prominent Charlotte businessman Mac Everett. The committee held several meetings throughout the summer of 2007, plus three public forums in the fall of 2007.
In December 2007, the Football Feasibility Committee voted unanimously to recommend the addition of 49ers football. In September 2008, a major student-led March to the Endzone rally held on campus. On September 18, 2008, Chancellor Dubois officially recommended adding a 49ers football program with the condition that its fans first raise $5 million to help fund the stadium complex. On November 13, 2008, the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees voted to add a Charlotte 49ers football program by 2013.
The 49ers will play Independent during their years in the FCS subdivision.
Coaches
On March 1, 2011 the 49ers announced Wake ForestWake Forest Demon Deacons football
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wake Forest plays its home football games at BB&T Field....
defensive coordinator, Brad Lambert
Brad Lambert
Brad Lambert is an American college football coach and the current head coach of the Charlotte 49ers, who will begin play in the Football Championship Subdivision of Division I in 2013.-Kansas State:...
, as their head coach. At his introductory press conference, Lambert introduced former West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen
Jeff Mullen
Jeff Mullen is an American football offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and the current offensive coordinator of the Charlotte 49ers. Mullen was previously an assistant coach at Ohio University, Wake Forest, and West Virginia University.-Early life:...
as Charlotte's offensive coordinator. On April 4, 2011 James Adams, Cornerbacks Coach for Wofford College and Trevor Lambert from the Wake Forest
Wake Forest Demon Deacons football
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represents Wake Forest University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Wake Forest plays its home football games at BB&T Field....
football staff, joined the 49ers coaching staff. On April 21, 2011 Bruce Tall, former Defensive Line Coach of the Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
was hired as Defensive Coordinator.
Coaching staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Brad Lambert Brad Lambert Brad Lambert is an American college football coach and the current head coach of the Charlotte 49ers, who will begin play in the Football Championship Subdivision of Division I in 2013.-Kansas State:... |
Head Coach |
| Jeff Mullen Jeff Mullen Jeff Mullen is an American football offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and the current offensive coordinator of the Charlotte 49ers. Mullen was previously an assistant coach at Ohio University, Wake Forest, and West Virginia University.-Early life:... |
Offensive Coordinator |
| Bruce Tall | Defensive Coordinator |
| James Adams | Defensive Coach/Recruiting Coordinator |
| Trevor Lambert | Director of Football Operations |
Forty Niner Seat Licenses
To generate financial support for the launch of the football program, Chancellor Dubois created a program called Forty Niner Seat Licenses, or FSLs, which essentially served as seat deposits for season tickets. The Chancellor initially set forth a goal of 5,000 FSL reservations within 6 months. However, due to the tremendous level of support for the new program, the goal was met in only 2 months.In February 2008, a fundraising capital campaign was established and led by prominent community leaders. These leaders included Mac Everett, Johnny Harris and Gene Johnson. Additionally, three other UNC Charlotte alumni were introduced as executive chairs: David Hauser, chief financial officer for Duke Energy Corporation; Bob Hull, chief financial officer for Lowe's Companies, Inc; and Joe Price, chief financial officer for Bank of America Corporation.
Seat licenses are being sold in three tiers of seating: Green, Gold and White Gold. Green seat licenses are being sold at $1,000 per seat and will be located between the 30 yard line and the end zone; Gold seat licenses at $2,500 per seat and will be located between the 30 yard lines; and White Gold seat licenses at an undisclosed amount in a block of exclusive seating. Seat locations will be determined by the ticket holders' Charlotte 49ers Athletics Foundation rank which is determined by the amount of the cumulative financial contribution the donor has made to the Foundation.
FCS to FBS Timeline
Chancellor Dubois recommended that the university start Division I football at the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) level with no timeline to move up to FBS. The team will play their first full season in the fall of 2013.Stadium
Chancellor Dubois conducted a lengthy review process of the committee's results before making his final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. He presented the findings of his own internal review to the board at the June meeting which included estimates from stadium design firm Populous which significantly increased facilities construction numbers from the feasibility committee figures and which are significantly higher than those for the much larger facility recently constructed for the University of Central FloridaUniversity of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
's Bright House Stadium.
On February 12, 2010, the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
Board of Governors approved a debt service fee increase to fund the construction of the football stadium and football center, and on August 2, 2010 Governor Bev Perdue
Bev Perdue
Beverly Eaves "Bev" Perdue is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party currently serving as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. She is the first female governor of North Carolina....
signed the debt service fee bill into law to clear the way for stadium construction. Designed by the architecture teams of Jenkins-Peer Architects and the DLR Group
DLR Group
DLR Group is an architectural design firm providing architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design to clients throughout the United States...
, its location was shown near the campus entrance at Highway 29
U.S. Route 29 in North Carolina
U.S. Route 29 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from the South Carolina state line, near Blacksburg, to the commonwealth of Virginia, near Danville...
north of Hayes Stadium. On April 28, 2011 Charlotte held a groundbreaking
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking, also known as cutting, sod-cutting, turning the first sod or a sod-turning ceremony, is a traditional ceremony in many cultures that celebrates the first day of construction for a building or other project. Such ceremonies are often attended by dignitaries such as politicians and...
ceremony for the football stadium. The stadium is scheduled to be complete in summer 2013 to allow for the 49ers first all-time game against Campbell
Campbell Fighting Camels
The Campbell University Fighting Camels and Lady Camels are the nicknames of the school's 18 teams that compete at the Division I level of the NCAA.-Sports teams:*Men's sports**Baseball**Basketball**Cross country**Football**Golf**Soccer...
on August 31, 2013.