The Chattanooga Mocs Secure Extended Tenure at Finley Stadium

Homecoming game against North Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at Finley Stadium.

In The Know with Gino…

In a significant development, the Chattanooga Mocs have confirmed an agreement with the Stadium Corporation to extend their tenancy at Finley Stadium for football and soccer by an additional five years, with an option for a sixth. This landmark agreement was announced during the Stadium Corporation’s board meeting on Tuesday.

This extension represents the longest agreement between the university’s athletic teams and Chattanooga’s premier sports venue.

Over the past year, Finley Stadium has undergone numerous renovations and upgrades, despite being operational since 1997. Significant improvements have been made to the concessions area and the club section. The newly introduced Ultra Club, which accommodates 150 seated guests and up to 250 standing, boasts cutting-edge technology and has quickly become a popular venue for various events.

It has been reported that there was a 28% increase in food and beverage sales compared to the previous year, attributing this to the elevated concession offerings. Additionally, rental income has risen by 10% over the same period. It was also announced upcoming enhancements to the elevators serving the luxury suites and press box, aiming to reduce the current 42-second journey from the ground floor to the third floor.

Thanks to partnerships with the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County, new LED lighting will soon be installed. This upgrade is projected to save approximately $15,000 annually in energy costs, enhance the overall guest experience, and meet national broadcast standards, thus attracting major new events.

The Mocs will kick off their home football schedule on September 14th with a Southern Conference opener against Mercer. Other home games include matchups against Portland State (September 28th), Wofford (October 19th), VMI for Homecoming (October 26th), and Samford (November 9th). The team aims to host their first FCS Playoff home game since 2016 this November, following their recent road playoff victory at Austin Peay.

The women’s soccer team will commence their home season on Sunday, August 25th, against Alabama, followed by a game against Xavier on the following Thursday. Both teams are considered top 25 contenders.

SOURCE: Chattanooga Mocs & NOOGAtoday