BEATY RICHMOND FIELD AT CARL SMITH STADIUM

The he Highland Cavaliers football squad was still in its infancy in 1999 as it began the ninth season in its history by opening its brand new stadium with an impressive 49-19 victory over West Virginia Tech.

Fans of the Red and Gray poured into Carl Smith Stadium that fall Saturday to witness the excitement generated by the christening of what was billed as the Cavaliers’ “Field of Dreams,” along with the beginning of an intriguing new gridiron season in Wise.

Carl Smith Stadium, named for the Wise native who has provided much of the funding for the stadium project, opened its gates that September day with a beautiful bright green playing surface. However, still to be constructed were seats for spectators, a field house for the Cavaliers and their opponents, lights, a press box and other amenities normally found at a football facility.

Midway through the 2001 season, those additions began taking shape in Smith Stadium. In 2001, 500 bleacher seats were installed on the visitors’ side of the field. Three years ago, the home fans were treated to 2,600 new seats on their side of the field when their beloved Cavaliers kicked off the 2002 campaign. Also added were stadium lights. No night games were scheduled that year, however the lights were put to use during the season’s last game when the Cavaliers rallied to an exciting overtime win over Belhaven College on a dark, foggy November afternoon.

In 2003, Smith Stadium upgrades continued with the completion and opening of the Humphreys-Thomas Field House. The field house not only provides much-needed locker rooms and weight and training rooms for the team, but also provides concession and restroom facilities for fans.

The final piece of the puzzle was put into place in 2004 with the completion of the Ramseyer Press Box, named in honor of the founding head football coach of the Highland Cavaliers. The facility was officially dedicated on September 10, 2005.

The stadium completion was made possible through a second generous gift to UVa-Wise from Smith. In April of 2002, the College announced that it had received a $3 million pledge from Smith -- the largest gift in UVa-Wise history.

In 1997, Smith, a University of Virginia alumnus, pledged $25 million to the UVa. athletics department. The bulk of the gift, $23 million, was used to expand the University’s Scott Stadium. The remaining $2 million was given to UVa-Wise for the initial construction of its football stadium.

The Cavaliers’ football complex was dedicated as Carl Smith Stadium in October 2000. In May of 2002, UVa-Wise board members named the field Beaty-Richmond Field, in memory of Lelia Maude Beaty Richmond, who died April 10 that year at age 98. Dubbed the Highland Cavaliers Number One Fan, Richmond was a loyal supporter and major donor of the football program and its athletes.

Smith Stadium features the Astro Turf 12 System 2000 field which is a brilliant green with red and white end zones displaying the team’s name. In the middle of the field is the Cavaliers logo, spread between the forty-yard markers. The UVa-Wise football field is widely recognized as one of the finest playing surfaces in the nation.

Three years ago, Smith Stadium saw the opening of the Humphreys-Thomas Fieldhouse which houses home and visiting locker rooms, weight room, training area, concession stands and rest rooms.