University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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Plans for the stadium are dis- cussed by Executive Vice Pres- ident Roy Stevens as President Guillot looks on. The original plans were drawn up by the Hill, Howard, and Nix Architectural Firm. Bob Barcliff ponders over one of the many questions on the lengthy SGA poll as Senators Bob Harlow and Danny Pace work at the voting table in the SUB.

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Constructing A Controversy One of the most controversial issues facing UNA this year has been the con- struction of a football stadium. The proposed stadium would have a seating capacity of approximately 11,400 people and could possibly be located on what has been the practice field area next to Flowers Hall, although at this time the University has received an offer of a 33-acre tract of land free of cost on Bradshaw and Bruin drives and Rickwood Road. The SGA took a poll September 20 and 21 to determine what the student body felt about the stadium. Of those who voted, 65% were opposed to building the sta- dium at the proposed site on the intra- mural field, while 83% were in favor of construction in another place as long as it were in reasonable walking distance of the campus. Other concerns expressed in the polls were the possi bility of parking prob- lems 74% of the students who voted felt that parking would be a problem at the Pine Street site and the possi- bility that students ' fees could be raised in order to help finance the $3,000,000 project 65% of the students were against such an action. Director of Intramurals Butch Stanphill assured members of the SGA Senate at the October 20 meeting of the SGA that he did not feel that an on-campus stadium would in any way hurt the university ' s intramural sports program. Roy Ste- vens, executive vice-president of UNA, has also worked very closely with stu- dent organizations such as the SGA and the Inter-Presidents Council to facil- itate better understanding of the Board of Trustees ' plans for a sta- dium. If the plans continue to be carried out as they have been tentatively made, UNA President Robert Guillot is hopeful that a new facility will be ready for occupancy by the 1979 season, although it could be 1980 before UNA can play in its new stadium. Danny Pace looks up each student ' s number as he .votes and marks it off the computer printout to insure that each student votes only once. A disap- pointing 13% of the full-time student body stopped by to vote. 28

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Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Leo It ' s a strange sound, probably like one you have never heard before. A freshman will glance nervously over his shoulder and swear he is in the middle of an African jungle. The other students around him will either look stunned or will go on about their business as if nothing had happened. This strange sound is uttered by UNA ' s mascot, Leo the Lion. Leo ' s unique announcements inform the campus and nearby neigh- borhood when he is feeling good and where his territory is located. The lion mascot and the name Leo were the tradition long before the live cub arrived on campus. UNA ' s mascot has developed from a man in a lion costume to a majestic live 540-pound lion. Leo symbolizes the university ' s strength, pride, spirit and excellence. The life of a University Mascot is not always an easy one. According to Joe Wallace, the Assistant Director of School Relations and Recruiting who has taken a special interest in Leo, many mascots are altered physically by surgically removing claws and teeth, or have to be tranquilized in order to be handled. Leo has not been altered in any way, nor has he been tran- quilized when handled. . . - ' A STAR IS BORN Leo has been the subject ' of many newspaper articles, television programs and has even made two commercials. A day doesn ' t go by that he isn ' t visited by children and adults. AND A LITTLE BIT MORE