In his monthly email to the Samford community on Oct. 10, President Taylor stated, “This Saturday [Oct. 14] at halftime of the Samford-Furman home football game, I will make a major announcement. I’m eager to share some exciting news on the campus development and philanthropic front.”
At the game on Saturday, Taylor announced the renaming of its formally named Siebert Stadium to Pete Hanna Stadium. The announcement to name the stadium comes from Hanna’s lifetime of support, as well as a new financial contribution to the university.
The video board played an introduction video that stated the initial announcement which was followed by the band playing as President Taylor came onto the field to discuss the announcement.
President Taylor was joined by members of Pete Hanna’s family as Hanna could not make it himself due to his health issues.
This is Hanna’s second building, with the Pete Hanna Center being the first. The stadium hosts the Samford Basketball teams and Volleyball teams as well as various other athletics and the campus fitness center.
At the end of the ceremony, President Taylor presented the family a large golden key to the stadium.
Pete Hanna is an alum of Samford University who attended during the 1950s. He was a member of the football team playing both offense and defense. At the time, he scored one of the first touchdowns in an unfinished stadium.
After his time at Samford, Hanna bought stock from his father’s steel business, Hanna Steel Corporation, and began developing the company into what it is today. Later, he purchased the entire company from his father and is now the owner and chairman of the company.
In a press release from Samford, Director of Athletics Martin Newton talked about getting to know Hanna as a “highlight,” stating “Pete Hanna has had a tremendous impact on the growth and prosperity of Samford University as well as our athletics department.”
The football field itself will continue to be named the Bobby Bowden Field, which was named in Sept. of 2021. However, the stadium it sits in is now the Pete Hanna Stadium.
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