LAURINBURG — It might not look like much now, but progress on the football field at St. Andrews University is on track, according to university officials.

The future home of the Knights football program, located behind the baseball field, appears to be a barren patch of grass and sand, but is on schedule to be completed before the university’s first home game on Sept. 9.

The trees were cleared from the field last summer after which the ground was leveled, an irrigation system has been installed and just a few weeks ago Super-Sod’s Tiff Turf Bermuda grass was planted.

Glenn Batten, St. Andrews athletics director, said there won’t be a stadium, like what fans are used to seeing at larger universities like UNC or ECU, because the Knights will be playing small-college football.

“Fans will have a very different game-day experience,” Batten said. “There are no long walks or shuttle buses, $8 sodas or seats in the cloud. It will be a relaxed environment.”

Another departure from the norm is St. Andrews will not be charging admission during the Knights inaugural season. Batten said in lieu of ticket sales, fans are encouraged to give a small donation.

The football field will begin to take shape the beginning of next month when the scoreboard, goal posts and bleachers are installed, along with all the other game-day am-entities.

In keeping with certain college football traditions Batten said there will be tailgating before the 1:30 p.m. kick off each Saturday.

“What would small-college football be without tailgating? There will be plenty of parking for tailgating and corn hole games,” said Batten.

St. Andrews also has plans to have a food-truck rodeo during their home games, as opposed to a typical concession stand.

The Knights will be playing in the Mid-South Conference, the country’s largest football conference, which they are already a part of for wrestling and swimming. The remaining sports at St. Andrews participate in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (ACC).

The Mid-South Conference features 20 teams split into three divisions — Bluegrass, Appalachian and Sun.

The Appalachian Division, which the Knights will be playing in, features Bluefield College out of Virginia; University of the Cumberlands out of Kentucky; Point University out of Georgia; University of Pikeville out of Kentucky; Reinhardt University out of Georgia; and Union College out of Kentucky.

The Bluegrass Division will feature Bethel University out of Tennessee; Campbellsville University out of Kentucky; Cincinnati Christian University out of Ohio; Cumberland University out of Tennessee; Georgetown University out of Kentucky; Kentucky Christian University and Lindsey Wilson College out of Kentucky.

St. Andrews is the only college in the Mid-South Conference and their division that doesn’t already have a football team in place.

Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange The field for the St. Andrews football team is still a work in progress. The land has been leveled and the grass sprigs were laid down earlier this month. The scoreboard, bleachers and goal posts will be delivered at the beginning of August.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_IMG_0542.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange The field for the St. Andrews football team is still a work in progress. The land has been leveled and the grass sprigs were laid down earlier this month. The scoreboard, bleachers and goal posts will be delivered at the beginning of August.

Courtesy photo The artist rendering of the St. Andrews Knights football field gives fans an opportunity to see what the complex will look like once it’s complete. St. Andrews will host its first home game on Sept. 9 against Cincinnati Christian University at 1:30 p.m.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Stadium.jpgCourtesy photo The artist rendering of the St. Andrews Knights football field gives fans an opportunity to see what the complex will look like once it’s complete. St. Andrews will host its first home game on Sept. 9 against Cincinnati Christian University at 1:30 p.m.

https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_IMG_0543.jpg
Knights host home opener Sept. 9

By Amber Hatten

[email protected]

2017 St. Andrews Football Schedule

All games will be played at 1:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

Aug. 26 @ Lindsey Wilson College

Sept. 2 @ Webber International University

Sept. 9 vs. Cincinnati Christian University

Sept. 16 BYE

Sept. 23 vs. Faulkner University

Sept. 30 vs. University of Pikeville*

Oct. 7 @ Bluefield College*

Oct. 14 BYE

Oct. 21 @ Point University*

Oct. 28 vs. University of the Cumberlands*

Nov. 4 @ Union College*

Nov. 11 vs. Reinhardt University*

*Appalachian Division game