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UNCC student government to survey students on football stadium name change

By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com
By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A plaque on UNC Charlotte's campus reads, "Jerry Richardson forever etched his name in the hearts of Niner Nation."

UNCC's Student Government Association (SGA) wants to find out if the students think that is true.

Student Matthew Basel sponsored a resolution at Thursday's SGA meeting that will try to get more data on how the decision was made to keep Richardson's name on the stadium and how students feel about it.

UNCC’s SGA voted to create a survey to ask students their opinion on the stadium carrying former Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson's name.

[READ MORE: UNCC SGA resolution]

Richardson, the former Panthers owner, was fined a record $2.75 million this summer after the NFL’s investigation substantiated claims of sexual harassment and racial comments.

“My job is to advocate for the student body and I'm just trying to get information, that's all,” Basel said.

UNCC student senator Jacob Baum introduced a resolution last Thursday that challenges the board of trustees’ decision to keep the name Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Baum said students want more transparency from the administration about their decision to keep Richardson’s name on the football stadium.

[READ MORE: Jerry Richardson's agreement with UNCC]

At the time, the SGA Senate voted against voting by roll call. But Basel said a parliamentary procedure error resulted in no immediate action being taken.

The resolution was not voted down as some thought.

Basel said once the SGA knows how the student body feels, it will act again.

"If this is truly an issue, our job is to represent that voice," Basel said.

Basel said he anticipates a survey will be sent out ot UNCC students, but the timeline is unclear.

Richardson Stadium was named after the former Panthers’ owner after he made a $10 million donation to the college football program in 2013.

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In Richardson's agreement with UNCC, his $10 million donation is paid in annual installments of $1 million until 2022.

UNCC's school policy says a name can be removed and the gifts can be kept if the person does something to injure the reputation of the university.

UNCC officials told Channel 9 that its board of trustees decided to honor its agreement with Richardson.

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