There are bigger stadiums across Division II football. Much newer ones, too.
But few places in small college football carry the same blend of history, atmosphere and identity as Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Helen and Leonard Moretz Stadium.
Opened in 1924 and known affectionately as “Between the Bricks,” the stadium has become one of the defining landmarks of football in western North Carolina.
More than a century after opening, Moretz Stadium remains one of the oldest active venues in D2 football, while still evolving with modern upgrades that have transformed the game-day experience in Hickory.
🏟️ Moretz Stadium
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Home Team: Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears
Conference: South Atlantic Conference
Opened: 1924
Capacity: 7,200 (can hold up to 10,000)
Nickname: “Between the Bricks”
Surface: FieldTurf
🧱 Between the Bricks 🧱
At Lenoir-Rhyne University, the phrase “Between the Bricks” is far more than a catchy slogan for its sports teams.
It is the identity of Moretz Stadium itself.
Since the venue opened in 1924, brick walls have framed the playing surface and separated the field from the seating areas – literally placing the game action “between the bricks.” Over time, the phrase has evolved into one of the defining pieces of Lenoir-Rhyne athletics culture (just search the hashtag #betweenthebricks any time on social media).
The stadium design helps create one of the more intimate game-day atmospheres in Division II football. Fans sit close to the field, sound echoes off the brick-lined structure and the stadium can feel packed and loud even with just a few thousand spectators.
That atmosphere has only grown in recent years as the Bears have emerged as a consistent national contender in football (2023 semifinalist) and men’s lacrosse (2023 national champs, 2024 runner-up).
Playoff games at Moretz Stadium regularly bring energetic crowds and a postseason feel that stands out at the Division II level.
Even after the stadium’s major $18 million renovation project in 2022, preserving the “Between the Bricks” identity remained a major focus. The facility gained modern seating, suites, videoboards and upgraded fan amenities – but the historic character that made Moretz Stadium recognizable across small college football was intentionally kept intact.
📜 Historic moments at Moretz Stadium
1924 – Moretz Stadium opens as the home of Lenoir-Rhyne University football, complete with the brick-lined design that later inspires the phrase “Between the Bricks.”
1960 – Lenoir-Rhyne hosts an NAIA national semifinal at Moretz on the way to the program’s only national championship.
1962 – The Bears host another NAIA semifinal game before advancing to the national title matchup.
1989 – The stadium is officially named Helen and Leonard Moretz Stadium, in honor of their long-time support for the school.
2013 – Coach Mike Houston leads Lenoir-Rhyne to three Division II playoff wins at Moretz Stadium and a trip to the national championship game.
2022 – A major $18 million renovation modernizes the stadium with new grandstands, suites, videoboards and fan amenities while preserving the venue’s historic identity.
2023 – The Bears rout Shepherd 63-17 at Moretz Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA Division II playoffs during a D2 national semifinal season.
2024 – Lenoir-Rhyne hosts two more Division II playoff games, including a first-round victory over West Alabama.
2025 – Moretz Stadium hosts NCHSAA football state championship games for the first time as Reidsville and Tarboro capture titles in Hickory.
Aug. 27, 2026 – The Bears are scheduled to open the 2026 football season at Moretz Stadium against Virginia Union in a rematch of the 2024 Division II playoffs.
🏟️ A modern home for a conference, national contender
While Moretz Stadium is rooted in history, it is hardly stuck in the past.
The Bears have become one of Division II football’s most consistent programs over the past two decades, regularly drawing strong crowds for South Atlantic Conference games and rewarding them with conference championship and playoff-caliber results.
The stadium’s massive renovation project, completed in 2022, helped position Lenoir-Rhyne to continue competing on a national stage both on the field and in the recruiting world. The upgraded venue now features premium seating, luxury suites, modern videoboards, enhanced lighting and expanded fan amenities while still preserving the atmosphere that has defined Moretz Stadium for generations.
Moretz has also evolved into a multi-purpose centerpiece for the university and the Hickory community, hosting lacrosse, commencement ceremonies, camps and now NCHSAA football state championship games.
More than 100 years after opening, Moretz Stadium remains one of the crown jewels of small college football in North Carolina.
In an era where many historic college stadiums have either disappeared or lost much of their original character, Moretz Stadium has managed to evolve without forgetting what made it special in the first place.
The bricks remain. The history remains.
And every fall in Hickory, another generation of Bears fans still gathers “Between the Bricks.”
👉 View the latest Lenoir-Rhyne football schedule updates
