In its 40 years of existence, Carter-Finley Stadium has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting venues in college football, mainly due to the dedication of Wolfpack fans. Now, the facility has been renovated to match the excellence of the people who fill it and is rapidly becoming known as one of the finest football venues in the nation for both its atmosphere and its facilities.
In the past six years, the entire face of the stadium has changed dramatically. The south endzone is now the home of the 103,254 square-foot Murphy Center, which is unequalled in its design for the training and preparation of athletes. The student-athletes’ academic, physical training and sports medicine needs are met under one roof, providing the ideal setting for coaching, recruiting and celebrating NC State’s gridiron heritage.
The Wolfpack squad practices just a stone’s throw away at the Dail Practice Complex. This area covers seven acres and boasts three full fields, a training room, restrooms and a tower where the head coach is frequently found surveying his squad.
In front of the Murphy Center, the south endzone now boasts 5,864 permanent seats, with the top 11 rows featuring 1,900 premium seats with chairbacks. The “Superscreen” scoreboard enhances the Carter-Finley atmosphere, as fans are able to enjoy replays, highlights and other videos on the scoreboard’s 24’ x 32’ video screen. A state-of-the-art sound system ensures that even the folks on the last row get the most out of their game-day experience.
In 2005, Vaughn Towers opens for fans and the media. Located on the west side, the four-level facility boasts 117,000 square feet and holds 51 luxury suites, 955 club seats and luxurious quarters for the media covering NC State games.
For 2006, the north endzone was completely enclosed, with new lockerrooms, suites and seating.
Wayne Day Family Field
The playing field at Carter-Finley Stadium was named Wayne Day Family Field in the spring of 2003 after the Day family pledged $5 million to the Wolfpack Club Goal Line Drive Campaign. The Day family’s pledge is one of the largest gifts to the athletics program in the history of NC State University.
Day, president and CEO of John J. Kirlin, Inc, is a 1965 graduate of NC State University. A native of Roxboro, Day graduated from NC State with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Before joining John J. Kirlin Inc. in 1969, he spent two years with the US Army Corps of Engineers, followed by two years at Honeywell. Day is a member of the World Presidents Association and the Washington Building Congress. He is actively involved in the rebuilding of the Pentagon, following the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.
Day and his wife Mary Grace have two children and one grandson.
Vaughn Towers
Visitors to Carter-Finley Stadium this season will be able to see the soaring new press box rising above the west stands. The 117,000 square-foot structure, which streches from endzone to endzone, includes four levels, 51 private luxury suites and 955 club seats, as well as a University Suite for the Chancellor. The state-of-the-art facility also includes accomodations for the media, and will house 112 press seats.
The construction also includes new concession stands and restroom facilities on the outer west concourse.
Vaughn Towers By The Numbers
117,000 square feet
955 club seats
430 length in feet
183 height in feet from the field
140 height in feet from the concourse
112 media seats in working press box
87 height in feet from the back of the upper deck
51 luxury suites
4 levels
4 radio/television booths
2 coaching booths
1 video platform
Year-by-Year at Carter-Finley Stadium
1966 4-1
1967 4-0
1968 3-2
1969 1-3-1
1970 2-1-1
1971 1-4
1972 5-0-1
1973 5-0
1974 5-0
1975 5-1
1976 1-4-1
1977 4-3
1978 5-1
1979 4-2
1980 4-2
1981 3-4
1982 5-1
1983 2-5
1984 2-5
1985 1-5
1986 6-0-1
1987 2-4
1988 5-1-1
1989 5-2
1990 5-1
1991 6-1
1992 5-1
1993 5-1
1994 5-1
1995 1-5
1996 2-3
1997 4-2
1998 5-1
1999 4-1
2000 5-1
2001 3-3
2002 6-1
2003 6-1
2004 2-4
2005 4-3
2006 3-4
Totals 155-85-6
