鈥淲e support the mission of 91影视 Baptist University and the role football plays in its vision,鈥� Robert McNair said. 鈥淛anice and I are touched HBU has recognized our family in this manner, and we are proud of our relationship with this great Christian institution.鈥�
With the 2015 football season, HBU fans have undoubtedly noticed the upgrades to the entrance of Husky Stadium. At the Sept. 12 game against Northern Colorado, HBU dedicated McNair Plaza, in honor of Janice and Bob McNair鈥檚 long-time relationship with the University.
In Feb. 2014, The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation to complete initial construction on Husky Stadium.聽The seating area, press box, and ticket booth were all completed in time for the 2014 season opener, due in large聽part to the McNairs鈥� donation. Previous聽contributions to HBU by the McNairs were used toward the construction聽of McNair Hall, the campus鈥檚 premier聽banquet and reception venue, in聽the Morris Cultural Arts Center, as聽well as donations to the College of聽Education and Behavioral Sciences.聽Through the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the McNairs have given generously to countless charitable, scientific, literary, educational, and religious organizations.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for us to honor the McNairs 鈥� everything Janice and Bob relate to is touched by their integrity and everything they represent,鈥� HBU President Robert B. Sloan Jr. said. 鈥淲e are very grateful and feel blessed to be able to show our gratitude in this visible way.鈥�
McNair Plaza features a brick monument crowned by an elaborate clock. The McNairs鈥� granddaughter, Rachel Syphers, who worked with the HBU football program, suggested the piece because of Janice McNair鈥檚 affinity for clocks.
鈥淭his is the signature monument at the football stadium,鈥� director of Athletics Steve Moniaci said. 鈥淗ere in the early phases, the stadium has been relatively plain, but McNair Plaza stands out. The bricks used in construction of the plaza are the same bricks that will be used in the planned brick fa莽ade of the stadium, so we are excited about the future of this facility.鈥�
Robert McNair is chairman of The McNair Group and is responsible for bringing the National Football League back to 91影视, serving as founder, chairman, and CEO of the 91影视 Texans, since the franchise鈥檚 inception in 1999. The McNairs became interested and involved with HBU聽football after attending a Huskies practice and discussing football philosophy with head coach Vic Shealy and Dr. Sloan.
鈥淭he plaza represents a great step forward as we work to complete the stadium,鈥� Sloan said. 鈥淚t is another huge indicator of what Janice and Bob McNair have meant to the University for years. Their generosity has blessed students and alumni all over this campus.鈥�