Edward M. Armfield Sr. Foundation, Anonymous Donors Give $1.1 Million to Renovate Stadium

Guilford announced Sept. 10 that it has a significant lead gift from the Edward M. Armfield Sr. Foundation of Greensboro and other gifts from anonymous donors totaling $1.1 million in support of renovations to the college's campus stadium, Armfield Athletic Center.

The announcement was made at halftime of the Quakers' home-opening football game against Methodist College.

With endorsement from Armfield Foundation trustees, the college plans to raise additional funds for stadium improvements by challenging alumni student-athletes and friends to make gifts to name the stadium field for Jefferson-Pilot Professor of Sports Studies Emeritus Herbert T. Appenzeller of Summerfield, N.C. He is an authority on sport law and risk management and a former athletic director and coach at the college.

The gifts are designated to replace the spectator seating, press box and exterior walls of the stadium. Architectural plans and the construction timeline for renovations will be announced later this year. The facility, which is home to Guilford's football and lacrosse teams, was constructed in 1961 and upgraded in 1963, 1977 and 1991 with gifts from the Armfield family.

"Guilford College is very grateful to the Edward M. Armfield Sr. Foundation for their generous leadership gift to upgrade our athletic facilities," said President Kent Chabotar. "The college is looking forward to living up to its rich athletic history starting with improvements to our stadium. With the lead gift from the Armfield Foundation, the college is well-positioned to secure the remainder of the necessary funds to move ahead with the project as soon as possible."

"Ed would have been pleased to make these improvements to the athletic center that carries his family's name," said Adair Phifer Armfield, Ed Armfield Sr.'s widow and chair of the Armfield Foundation. "His own love for athletics came from his father who had a lifelong passion for athletics that was encouraged at Guilford College."

"Our family has a very high regard for Herb Appenzeller and is very pleased the college will name the athletic field within Armfield Center for him," said William "Billy" Armfield IV. The Armfield family has supported Guilford athletics -- particularly the football program -- for more than 100 years.

The Armfield Athletic Center was originally constructed with funds from the Armfield family and friends and dedicated in honor of William J. Armfield Jr. and in memory of Britt M. Armfield and William J. Armfield III. The elder William Armfield (who died in 1968) played on the college's first football team in the late 1800s. Both William Armfields were Guilford alumni.

A letter to Ed Armfield from then-college President Clyde Milner noted that the gifts supporting the 1963 improvements would be "an even more adequate memorial to your brothers and a center that honors your father ... and would help the college meet Mr. (Charles A.) Dana's challenge."  The Dana Challenge was met, resulting in the construction of Dana Auditorium, one of Guilford's signature buildings and the home of the Eastern Music Festival. Ed Armfield also served on the college's Board of Visitors.

Pictured (left to right): Anne Hurd, senior director of development; Marion Kirby, athletic director; President Kent Chabotar; Bedford Cannon, Armfield Foundation; Steve Joyce, Armfield Foundation; Randy Doss, vice president for enrollment and campus life.

Sept. 10, 2005