Buies Creek, N.C.–The Fighting Camels played their first football game in over 50 years and marked another landmark event on Saturday, August 30. President Jerry M. Wallace and the Board of Trustees of Campbell University dedicated the new football stadium to the families of Fuqua-Varina entrepreneurs Bob Barker and Dr. Don Lane during halftime activities.“Today I am Campbell proud,” said Wallace. “The Barkers and Lanes have joined together to make a $4 million pledge to the football stadium at Campbell. In recognition of these gifts, the Board of Trustees voted this week to name this stadium the Barker-Lane Stadium.”A Campbell alumnus, Bob Barker is chairman of the Bob Barker Company, the industry’s largest supplier to corrections facilities with textile manufacturing plants in North Carolina, Idaho, and Florida and metal manufacturing plants and distribution centers in Fuquay-Varina and California. Barker and his wife Pat were also honored in January of 2008 when Campbell’s newest residence hall, Bob Barker Hall, was dedicated in Barker’s honor. Both Barker and Pat, who is executive vice president of the Barker Company, serve on Campbell boards. Bob is a Campbell trustee and Pat is a member of the Presidential Board of Advisors.“I wanted to make this pledge because I think football helps the mission of Campbell University to attract young men and women and educate them for Christian service throughout the world,” Barker said.Dr. Don Lane is owner of Lane Family Dentistry, a full-service dental practice with over 15 locations in eastern North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lane has been practicing dentistry in the state for over 25 years. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the recipient of the prestigious Fellowship Award. Lane is also a member of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society. In addition, Lane serves on Campbell University’s Presidential Board of Advisors. He and his wife Phyllis have been long time supporters of Campbell.“I’ve loved to play football my whole life,” said Lane. “Campbell University has an incredible program to educate kids for Christ. The only thing lacking was a football team. I’m happy to help make football a reality at Campbell.”Located on U.S. 421 across from the Campbell campus, Barker-Lane Stadium has a current seating capacity of 3,500, including temporary seating. Future plans call for additional seating, a press box and another entrance. The field is constructed of low maintenance, weather-resistant Astro Turf.Saturday’s crowd of 5,845 spectators marked the largest attendance ever recorded for a Campbell home athletic event.Photo Copy: Campbell University President Jerry Wallace and the Board of Trustees Chairman Harold Wells announced the new arena will be named for Fuquay Varina entrepreneurs Bob Barker and Dr. Don Lane. The Barker-Lane Stadium has a current seating capacity of 3,500, including temporary seating. Future plans call for additional seating, a press box and another entrance. – Photo by Shannon Ryals.
Campbell names new stadium for Barker, Lane