Five Star Stadium
Five Star Stadium stands as one of the most important athletic and cultural landmarks on the campus of Mercer University in Macon, Ga. Since opening in 2013, the stadium has served as the home of Mercer Bears football and lacrosse while also symbolizing the university’s commitment to growth, tradition, and community engagement. More than just a venue for athletic competition, Five Star Stadium represents the successful revival of Mercer football after a 72-year absence and has become a centerpiece of campus life for students, alumni, and fans throughout Middle Georgia.
The history of Five Star Stadium begins long before the facility itself was built. Mercer University fielded its first football team in 1891 and competed for decades as one of the South’s early collegiate football programs. The Bears enjoyed periods of success during the first half of the 20th century, but the program was discontinued after the 1941 season as the United States entered World War II. Unlike many institutions that resumed football after the war, Mercer chose not to restart the program, leaving generations of students without a football team to support. For more than seven decades, football existed only as a memory preserved by alumni and university historians.
During the early 2000s, university leaders began seriously evaluating the possibility of restoring football at Mercer. Administrators believed the sport could strengthen campus traditions, increase student recruitment, expand alumni involvement, and raise the university’s visibility throughout the region. As these discussions gained momentum, the university developed a comprehensive athletics expansion plan that would include not only a football program but also upgraded facilities capable of competing at the NCAA Division I level. The vision required a major investment in infrastructure, one that would transform the athletic landscape of the campus.
That vision took a major step forward on Nov. 12, 2011, when Mercer officially broke ground on a new football and lacrosse complex. The project was designed by McMillan-Pazdan-Smith Architecture and built by Chris R. Sheridan & Co., a Macon-based construction firm. The development became known as the Tony and Nancy Moye Football and Lacrosse Complex, honoring major contributors to the project. Construction represented an investment of approximately $14 million and demonstrated the university’s commitment to bringing football back in a first-class manner.
The original plans called for a facility with approximately 6,000 seats. However, as excitement surrounding the return of football increased among alumni, donors, students, and community members, Mercer expanded the design. By the time construction progressed, seating capacity had increased to more than 10,000 spectators, allowing the university to accommodate the large crowds expected to attend games. The project also included a modern synthetic playing surface and numerous supporting facilities designed specifically for Division I athletics.
Before the stadium officially opened, Mercer football players were already making history. In August 2012, the newly formed Bears football team conducted its first practices on the completed playing surface. These workouts marked the first time in more than 70 years that Mercer athletes were preparing for intercollegiate football competition on campus. The sight of players in Mercer uniforms practicing within the new stadium generated excitement across the university and provided tangible proof that football was finally returning to Mercer.
The most significant moment in the stadium’s history came on Aug. 31, 2013. On that day, Mercer hosted Reinhardt University in the first football game played by the Bears since 1941. Anticipation had been building for months, and fans responded by filling the facility beyond its official capacity. An overflow crowd of 12,172 spectators packed the stadium, creating one of the most memorable atmospheres in Mercer athletic history. The game itself matched the excitement surrounding the occasion. The Bears rallied from behind during the fourth quarter before Josh Shutter kicked a game-winning field goal with three seconds remaining, giving Mercer a dramatic 40–37 victory. For many alumni, students, and fans, the moment represented the culmination of decades of hope and anticipation.
The stadium quickly became a central feature of Mercer’s athletic facilities. Adjacent to the field is the Homer and Ruth Drake Field House, which houses football and lacrosse coaches’ offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, student-athlete lounges, weight-training facilities, and sports medicine resources. The complex also includes premium suites and hospitality areas that help create a modern game-day experience. A sports medicine clinic operated through Mercer University’s School of Medicine further enhances the facility by serving both student-athletes and members of the local community.
Although the facility opened in 2013, it did not officially become “Five Star Stadium” until February 26, 2015. On that date, Mercer announced a naming agreement recognizing a major financial commitment from Five Star Automotive Group. The company, which operates automobile dealerships throughout Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina, was a significant supporter of Mercer athletics. The naming honored both the company’s investment and the leadership of its president, Charlie Cantrell, who also served in an important role within Mercer’s athletic fundraising efforts.
The facility has also played an important role in the growth of Mercer lacrosse. In 2018, Five Star Stadium hosted the inaugural Southern Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship. Mercer captured the championship on its home field with an 18–8 victory over Furman, earning the program’s first-ever berth in the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament. The championship reinforced the stadium’s value as a multi-sport facility and highlighted Mercer’s increasing success across its athletic programs.
The stadium’s location within the heart of Mercer’s athletic complex places it alongside Hawkins Arena, Claude Smith Field at OrthoGeorgia Park, and other athletic venues, creating a unified sports environment on campus. Traditions such as Bear Walk, tailgating activities, and student-section participation have helped transform football Saturdays into major community events that bring together students, alumni, faculty, and residents from throughout Middle Georgia.
Today, Five Star Stadium seats approximately 10,200 fans and stands as one of the premier athletic venues in the Southern Conference. The stadium represents Mercer University’s determination to honor its history while investing in its future.
