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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport University football squads will now play on Kelchner Field at TowneBank Stadium, in honor of longtime Captains Head Coach Matt Kelchner. The announcement was made Saturday during the 20th Anniversary celebration of the program, and just in time for the Christopher Newport home game vs. Ferrum College kicking off at 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening.

Speaking in front of family, friends, former players, fellow coaches and colleagues, Kelchner reminisced about his efforts starting the CNU program, and the amazing success, especially of his first team in 2001.

"Any of your names could be out there, you all had a hand in it," Kelchner said to the crowd. "What we did will be remembered forever...thank you for all that you did to add to the success."

Kelchner was hired by Christopher Newport in 2000 to lead the newly-announced program, and guided the Captains for 16 seasons achieving remarkable success. His CNU squads won ten conference championships and recorded a record of 109-60 for a winning percentage of .645. The Captains took the field for the first time in 2001, and Christopher Newport remains the only NCAA football program in history to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament in its first four years of existence. 

Among his many accolades, Kelchner was inducted into the USA South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He was honored as the USA South Coach of the Year seven times, more than any other coach in conference history. He is also a three-time Richmond Touchdown Club State Coach of the Year.

Kelchner led his squads to the Division III NCAA Tournament ten times during his 16-year tenure, and advanced to the second round three times. Kelchner is a native of Covington, Pa., and graduated from Susquehanna University in 1982. He previously had spent 16 seasons as an assistant coach at William & Mary before handling the start-up of the Captains new program. He continues to be a key member of the Christopher Newport athletic administration, serving as an Associate Athletic Director since stepping down as head coach in 2016.