Tuesday at a public press conference on the stadium concourse, university officials including Chancellor Philip Dubois, Director of Athletics Judy Rose and Head Football Coach Brad Lambert, gathered to announce the naming of the home to the Charlotte 49ers football team.

The newly dubbed Jerry Richardson Stadium was named in honor of Jerry Richardson, owner of the Carolina Panthers, in honor of a $10 million donation he made to spur the football program.

“In regard to our gift, we have only one mission: we want to help continue to create a culture of winning and becoming better,” said Richardson.

“That transcends everyone. It involves every person at UNC Charlotte.”

Richardson and his wife Rosalind also announced a football scholarship they would provide at the university in honor of their son, Jon.

The Charlotte 49ers will play their first football game against the Campbell Camels Aug. 31 in the 15,300-seat Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Jerry Richardson speaks on the naming of the stadium Tuesday at the public press conference. Photo by Jordan Stutts