To commemorate Kenan Stadium’s centennial season, 97.9 The Hill is inviting community members to share their favorite Kenan memories from the past 100 years. This twice-weekly series will showcase stories from players and fans throughout the fall.

As hard as it is to believe now, Kenan Stadium existed for more than a half-century without permanent light fixtures. As UNC football historian Lee Pace recounts, that lack of modern technology went back to an “old wives’ tale” about the stadium mythos. There’s only one problem: that tale turned out to not be true.

FallFest held at Kenan Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sunday August 17, 2025
(Craig Marimpietri/UNC-Chapel Hill)

 

To hear more stories like this one, tune in to 97.9 The Hill Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout football season!

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Catching Up With Mary Willingham - Live Friday Morning
Friday morning, UNC clinical instructor and academic advisor Mary Willingham will tell the latest in her story of pushing for a change in academics among student-athletes at the University.
The Morning News: Chatham vs. Data Centers, CHCCS Board Vacancy, UNC Player Eligibility
In today's news: the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board will appoint a new member, and four UNC athletes have their eligibility restored.
'Baseball is a Booming Sport': Checking in With the Diamond Heels' Scott Forbes
As his team began its fall practices and scrimmages earlier this month, Scott Forbes sat down and discussed the state of the Diamond Heels.
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: 'My Most Memorable Day'
To commemorate Kenan Stadium’s centennial season, 97.9 The Hill is inviting community members to share their favorite Kenan memories from the past 100 years. This twice-weekly series will showcase stories from players and fans throughout the fall. Spring commencement is always one of the busiest days of the year at Kenan Stadium. It’s an emotional […]
Chansky's Notebook: Snap Decisions
Art Chansky says it may be time for Bill Belichick and UNC to make a change at the quarterback position following Saturday's loss at Clemson.
Are They Eligible? Keeping Up with UNC's Rece Verhoff, Cameron Fens and Others
Student-athletes across the country are currently embroiled in an eligibility fight against the NCAA. The athletes, who graduated high school in 2022, are seeking a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new rules. However, the NCAA is countering that the rule only applies to students currently in college from the 2026-27 academic year forward. […]
The Morning News: Chatham Vs. Enbridge, 53 CHCCS Applications, UNC Falling
In today's news: Chatham County Commissioners take a stand against the proposed Enbridge natural gas pipeline.
UNC Among Top 5 Public Universities in 2027 Rankings, Falls From Top 'Best Value' Spot
UNC-Chapel Hill placed in the top 5 of public universities once again in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s latest Best Colleges Rankings — marking a milestone streak for the school while another ended. The 2027 edition of the rankings is the 25th consecutive year UNC has ranked in the top 5 of public […]
UNC Women's Soccer Jumps to No. 1 in Newest National Coaches Poll
On the heels of a six-match winning streak which included a 4-2 win against then-No. 2 Duke, UNC jumped six spots from No. 7 to the No. 1 ranking in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. It’s the first time the team has been ranked No. 1 since the 2025 preseason poll, when […]
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: Let There Be Light!
As hard as it is to believe now, Kenan Stadium existed for more than a half-century without permanent light fixtures.
›