Murphy-Haugerud Football Practice Complex at Scrappy Moore Field

Since the late 1950’s, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletics department has utilized a pristine section of riverfront property as a main area to train student-athletes. Known as Scrappy Moore Field, this piece of land along the Tennessee River houses the Murphy-Haugerud Football Practice Complex and continues to be an outstanding facility located on the Tennessee Riverwalk.

Former Moc John Murphy (1977-80) and his wife Renee Haugerud, along with other UTC football alumni and supporters, generously donated over $500,000 worth of renovations to the facility in 2009.

The bulk of the renovations were funded by Haugerud and Murphy and included a new artificial turf playing surface that covered half of the complex. This turf replaced, and nearly doubled the size of, the outdated artificial surface that was present. A new irrigation system was also installed for the grass playing surface that covers the remaining part of the field.

Gary Davis and the Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company donated a new scoreboard and play clock. Former Mocs Don Lepard and Johnny Owens provided the labor and funds to install the scoreboard. Scrappy Moore Field did not previously have a scoreboard or play clock in use.

Former Mocs kicker Rodney Allen helped to raise funds for a permanent goalpost on one end of the field. The new goalpost replaced the older, portable ones used by the special teams units in previous years. Ryan Crimmins of Lawson Electric helped to install the new goalpost.

In 2019, the playing surface was upgraded further to include a full 120-yard field. With goal posts on both ends and extra space on the south sideline for drills, the Murphy-Haugerud Football Practice Complex at Scrappy Moore Field continues to be one of the top training facilities at the FCS level.