The stadium where Mercer's football and lacrosse teams play now has a new name.
The University's two-year-old stadium will be called Five Star Stadium. That's after the Five Star Automotive Group, owned by Charlie Cantrell and Dick Pope, made the largest monetary commitment ever for Mercer athletics.
The stadium seats 10,000. Mercer's Football Bears first played there in 2013 after 72 years out of the game. It's part of a larger complex that also houses the Drake Field House, Anderson Field, and the Butler Family Plaza.
In a news release, Mercer president William Underwood thanked Cantrell and Pope for their support and generosity.
He said, "Charlie Cantrell and Dick Pope are two of the University's strongest supporters, and we are deeply grateful for this significant financial commitment. We are proud to have the Five Star name on one of the finest athletic venues of its size in the nation."
Founded in Central Georgia, Five Star Automotive has been in business since 1986. The car dealership chain now operates 19 dealerships across Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
The University did not disclose the exact amount of the contribution.
