The McKay House on the edge of the Campbell University campus stands out for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is its inviting front porch, the kind that would pair well with rocking chairs, lemonade and a cool breeze. It is an old house, stately, and it stands out, too, because it’s among the few athletics-related facilities on campus that doesn’t carry the shine of newness.
Few college campuses in North Carolina have undergone a more dramatic transformation than Campbell’s during the past 15 years. A new student union opened in 2020, and a medical school in 2013, but the Fighting Camels’ sports facilities have perhaps best symbolized the growth: the football stadium and basketball arena and the add-ons and renovations and upgrades all around.
The McKay House, meanwhile, has retained its original charm. The Campbell athletic department’s administration keeps its offices inside, where the age of the place has become something of a running joke. The athletic director’s office is on the first floor, straight back, and Hannah Bazemore goes to work every day with the aim of guiding Campbell’s athletics ascent.
