A crack in the UTM Hardy Graham Football Stadium, which was found during a routine inspection this summer, has caused recent renovations to the visitor side bleachers.
According to Chancellor Dr. Keith Carver, the university met with TLM Associates Inc., of Jackson, and KSi Structural Engineering Inc., of Nashville after the crack was found to determine that it “very well could have been caused” by the earthquake that struck West Tennessee this past April.
In the official report by the United States Geological Survey, a 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. The epicenter of the earthquake was 7.6 miles away from Dyersburg, which is located roughly 37 miles from Martin.
According to the National Weather Service, the earthquake could be felt as far east as Jackson and through parts of Kentucky.
After the crack was found during the codes inspection, the visitor’s bleachers were immediately set off-limits to everyone in concern for safety. During the 2019 Football season, all fans had to sit in the home side bleachers while the visitor’s side underwent construction.
According to UTM University Relations, “As a precautionary measure, university officials are closing the building and visitors seating until more detailed inspections are made and the issues are resolved.”
Athletic Director Kurt McGuffin spoke on the current state of the bleachers, as well as including the future plans on the construction. He also discussed further renovations if everything goes according to plan.
“As of right now, we are waiting on some insurance settlement amount, which will then give us a better idea as to what all we can get accomplished,” Athletic Director Kurt McGuffin said. “At the very least, we will replace some of the seating and my preference would be to look at our areas underneath and clean them up and renovate adding a visitor locker room.”
The ROTC building, which houses the visitor’s bleachers is also home to the air rifle range and ROTC training facilities. The rifle team will also use the facility while football is not in season.
Other plans include minimizing the number of seats on the east side of the stadium. It currently seats 1,200 fans out of the 7,500 the stadium holds. The same structure that has been used will remain, just with less seating capacity for visiting fans.
Hardy Graham Football Stadium has been home to the Skyhawks for more than 80 years. It was one of the first lighted stadiums in West Tennessee. In 2001, it was named after long term donor and supporter of the university Hardy M. Graham.
Chancellor Carver said that the goal would be to finish in the fall of next year, just in time for the beginning of the 2020 football season.
