BATESVILLE, Ark. (KAIT) – Lyon College is one step closer to playing football games on home turf after they broke ground on their new stadium on Friday, Jan. 31.

The Scots revitalized the football program in 2015 and now they will finally be able to play games on campus.

Dr. Melissa Taverner, the President of Lyon College, said this has always been a dream since football came back.

“We’ve known that since we brought back football ten years ago that we wanted to at some point play on campus because that’s so important to the community,” Dr. Taverner said.

Head Football coach, Chris Douglas, expressed his excitement.

“I mean this is incredible. The generosity, the trust, and the faith that this community has shown in us is just incredible and it almost leaves me speechless,” Douglas said.

Since 2015, the Scots have traveled to Batesville High School to play their home games.

“For these guys that have been with us for four years and even the some of the alumni that have shown up here today, it’s not a long drive but you have to drive over to play a home game so when we’re able to tee it off here, the goosebumps are already starting to pop up,” Douglas said.

Athletic Director, Kevin Jenkins, said they want to create a great environment.

“We are able to provide a great experience for the student-athletes that we are able to recruit here,” Jenkins said, “It’s great for our institution. Just looking forward to a lot of fun fall Saturday afternoons in Batesville on our own campus playing small college football.”

Lyon College will hold a ribbon cutting on Sept. 13 for the new stadium.

That same day will also be the first-ever home game on campus for the Scots.

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