We, the undersigned, express our support of Coastal Carolina University’s request for expansion of Brooks Stadium and ask that Governor Nikki Haley intercede on behalf of the University.

The expansion of Brooks Stadium is a requirement for CCU having been accepted into the Sun Belt Conference, but conversely will generate millions in incremental annual revenues. We believe this is a great opportunity for both the University and the State but the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has denied CCU’s request for the expansion.  The CHE has also failed to provide clear guidance as to why and as to how the University could proceed to gain their approval.

In response to the CHE’s concerns, CCU has reduced the project budget by 21 percent, has demonstrated a clear ability to meet its current and future debt obligations, has demonstrated historical student growth trends that are some of the highest in the nation, and has provided third party estimates of significant economic benefits to the region and the state.

But the stakes are high for CCU, if they are unable to meet commitments to the Sun Belt Conference by expanding the stadium, they will have to forgo contracts that have already been signed with “Power Five” schools such as UC-Berkeley and Arkansas, and millions of dollars of revenue will be lost.  It will do reputational and economic harm to both the University and the state of South Carolina. This seems to present a much larger risk than any the CHE might be trying to avoid in their decision process.

Conversely, approval of the expansion will bring incremental jobs and investment into the state for a lifetime.  As CCU’s stature in the Football Bowl Subdivision improves, there exists the potential to sign game contracts with universities who will undoubtedly bring national recognition to the University and the State of South Carolina

In closing, we respectfully ask Governor Nikki Haley help Coastal Carolina University grow in this endeavor and in so doing help secure further economic development for South Carolina.

Sincerely,

Friends, family, fans and supporters of Coastal Carolina University