When Merrill Eckstein became Finley Stadium’s executive director, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga had one of the worst programs in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
The Chattanooga Football Club soccer team was hoping for some support in its infancy, and the 20,668-seat facility was entrenched as the home of the FCS title game. A lot has changed as the first fiscal year with Eckstein as Finley operator ends next Wednesday.
“It’s been crazy, but it’s been a fun crazy,” Eckstein said following Tuesday’s Stadium Corp. meeting.
Eckstein left his job as Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee president to replace Frank Burke, who for four years added the task of overseeing Finley with his primary role as Chattanooga Lookouts owner. The Stadium Corp. hired Eckstein to a two-year contract with an option for a third at $88,000 annually.
Stadium Corp. board members believe Eckstein so far has earned his keep.