It’s a Great Night to be a Knight
Fireworks, Ribbon Cutting, and Friday Night Lights
Inauguration of new Knight Stadium
Coauthored by: Anna Bowers & John Gaughan
Friday’s dedication festivities continued at the Knight Stadium as Southern Virginia faced Frostburg State for the team’s last home game and Senior night celebration.
Bright stadium lights pierced the dark night sky, crimson uniforms and shiny white helmets decorated the field, and an evening of community and fun began.
The stadium, able to seat over one thousand spectators, was well filled and speckled with halloween costumes. The pavilion to the side of the stadium housed multiple vendors, whose “Knights Nachos” and spiced cider aromas filled the air.
The pavilion also provided a fun place for the coaches’ children to laugh and throw around footballs, and for those who brought dogs to socialize. Everything seemed to echo the words of President Wilcox’s speech before the dedication, that the stadium would become “a new gathering place.”
Football players roared on the field and excitement stirred in the fans when Southern Virginia recovered a fumble, when Simi Moala broke away for a big gain, and when the team scored a field goal.
At halftime, the Knight family and friends buzzed with excitement as they waited for their turn to take the field. Kathleen Knight would be cutting the ribbon during the special ceremony. “It’s so fun I can’t even believe it!” Kathleen exclaimed. She laughed and mused about the giant ceremonial scissors, exclaiming, “I hope I don’t cut my foot off!”
Their entire party consisted of about 25 people including Glade and Kathleen Knight, their sons Justin and Nelson Knight with their wives and families. Hayne Hollis, the general contractor of the project, Larry Tolley, the Mayor of Buena Vista, and Brian Brown, who is Buena Vista’s Director of Economic Development also accompanied the family. The large group lined up on the field along with the cheerleaders, each holding onto a part of the ribbon.
Nelson Knight, main project coordinator of the Stadium, spoke to the crowd, thanking key members such as his father, Glade, as well as Hayne Hollis. “What a privilege and honor it is to be with you tonight,” Nelson exclaimed. “A vision has been fulfilled. My wife and I were 2005 graduates here and the football team played at the local high school. To see where we are today with the field lit and with the stadium, that’s just absolutely incredible.”
Bill Braddy, Director of University Advancement, introduced the event and recognized “specifically Glade and his vision, and Nelson for his incredible support over the last two or three years in putting the plans and programming in place for this night to be possible.”
Glade followed his son and made a point to tell everyone present that they were all part of the Knight family. He expressed hope for Southern Virginia students. “May you enjoy your life. May you make it productive. May you work as hard as you can to uphold the highest ideals and to accomplish as much as you can in doing good works.”
“We are Knights, and forever united to accomplish the great work together, unified forever to do as much good as we can to change the world.” Giving his love to all, Glade finished: “It’s a great night to be a Knight!”
The ribbon was cut, and crimson fireworks erupted behind the ceremony, encouraging cheers from the crowd as the band proudly played the Knight fight song.
Walking off of the field, Glade made a point to thank everyone he came into contact with including family, cheerleaders and even Events Staff students.
Despite the team’s loss, there was a remarkable positivity in the air. The new stadium facilitated the uniting of friends and family as many gathered on the field, chatting and cheering with each other.
The love of the Knight family and their generous gift has done much to lift Southern Virginia football to a new level. And just as it was dedicated to do, the new stadium is bringing people together.
