The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees has voted unanimously in favor of bringing a football team to campus, and officials are looking at Memorial Stadium as a contender for a home field.

Team gets green light

After the board's decision, officials say they now have to work on how to make the team a reality.

“I wish we would have started football in the 1970s, but if we don't start thinking about it now, we'll never have it,” said Gene Johnson, member of the board of trustees. “I think it's a critical component of the university's life going forward."

The board met on Thursday morning to discuss and vote on Chancellor Philip Dubois’ recommendation to form a team by 2013. UNCC’s chancellor made that recommendation back in September.

"I do believe that football will enrich the student experience here, enliven school spirit, and serve as one more bond of engagement between the students and their university," said Dubois at the time.

At the time of his recommendation, Dubois had stated that he wanted to see 5,000 seat licenses sold within six months of the team’s approval, and as of Wednesday night, over 4,000 FSL reservations had already been made, though no money had been collected.

Dubois also stated that significant steps would have to be made to come up with the money needed to fund such a program.

“Now we look to this community to support this program,” said Dubois. “It's a very tough environment in which to raise money, we all know this. But we hope everyone … steps it up and supports it. This is a transforming moment for this university."

The cost of the program -- some $42 million -- would account for a new sports building, a new stadium and new practice fields, among other things. Student fees could help cover the cost.

"There are challenges, but we've got a four-year period here, a window of opportunity here and I think you'll see things improve with the economy over that period of time,” said Steve Luquire, CEO of LGA Marketing who will be working with the school.

Discussions have been held about possibly hosting a team at the city's Memorial Stadium until a stadium could be built on the campus at UNCC. Regardless of where the team finally takes the field, supporters of the program are ecstatic about how things went Thursday.

"This is a historical day for our university and our athletic program," said Judy Rose, Charlotte 49er athletic director, after the decision was announced on Thursday. "I am the eternal optimist … and we’ll raise that money and we’re going to have a stadium on this campus. We can’t do it without everybody involved."

As for the students who helped make this day possible, they're ready for opening day.

"I just don't know what to say; I'm speechless,” said Student Body President Tim Ernst, who helped get the ball rolling on football at UNCC. “This is such a great day for students, its something students have wanted for so long and I actually can't wait to get on campus because I'm sure everyone is celebrating there."

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Memorial Stadium could soon become home field

The historic Memorial Stadium could have its colors changed to green. The facility is being considered as a possible home field, if only for a little while, for a start up UNC Charlotte football squad.

According to UNCC Athletic Director Judy Rose, more than a fresh coat of paint is needed to bring it up to snuff. Regardless, it's on her short list of possible temporary locations for the university's football future.

"We have talked to County Manager Harry Jones about renovating or being a player in renovating Memorial Stadium," Rose said Thursday evening.

Because of its size, with seats for more than 20,000 people, it's a prime place to play. Rose said that to make the stadium usable, they will have to do everything from build a new press box to reinforce the bleachers.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Director Jim Garges said that's just the beginning. Garges, who manages Memorial Stadium, said that concessions need updating and so do the bathrooms.

Garges said renovations to the stadium are expected within the next 10 years, but no money is earmarked for the project. He said UNCC’s possible plans to play there may help speed things along and cut costs.

But the stadium isn't necessarily a sure thing. Officials said expanding the UNCC soccer field or using a Charlotte Mecklenburg School as a temporary place to play are still options.

University officials said it will come down to the price of each possibility.