Exit 30 Becomes the Stephen Curry Interchange

Curry returns to a sold-out crowd as Davidson faces Duquesne

Stephen Curry ’10 came back to a sold-out Belk Arena on Dec. 30, as state leaders, alumni, and students gathered in Davidson to celebrate the official renaming of I-77 Exit 30 as the Stephen Curry Interchange. The ceremony took place during Davidson’s double-overtime matchup against Duquesne.

The Town of Davidson and the North Carolina Department of Transportation jointly approved the renaming of I-77 Exit 30 as the Stephen Curry Interchange in 2023. The interchange, which directs drivers toward campus via Griffith Street, matches the No. 30 jersey Curry wore at Davidson and throughout his NBA career. The number is a tribute to his father, Dell Curry, who donned a No. 30 jersey throughout his ten seasons with the Charlotte Hornets.

The legacy of the number resonates across generations of Wildcats. “I’ve always been a fan of Davidson because I really believe that Davidson does athletics right,” said Billy Pierce ‘71 during a pregame reception. Pierce wore the same No. 30 jersey decades before Curry’s arrival.

At halftime, Curry emerged on the court with Davidson President Doug Hicks, the N.C. Secretary of Transportation Daniel Johnson, and several prominent guests, including U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and former Governor Roy Cooper. President Hicks and Secretary Johnson presented Curry with the NCDOT highway sign that will be placed at Exit 30 in Davidson to honor him.

“This is a big night for Davidson, Steph Curry, and the State of North Carolina,” former Governor Cooper told The Davidson Lux. “We are so proud to name this road after Steph because he means so much to the state.” Cooper went on to express how important Curry’s charitable contributions have been to helping those in need.

The evening concluded with a tense, double-overtime struggle that saw the lead trade hands until the final seconds. Despite a resilient effort from the Wildcats, the Duquesne Dukes ultimately pulled ahead in the second extra period to secure an 89–83 victory.

Regardless of the loss, Bob McKillop, who coached Curry during Davidson’s 2008 Elite Eight run, saw this night as a success that transcended the scoreboard.

“It’s a magical night for the Davidson team,” said McKillop in an interview with The Davidson Lux. “They demonstrated great tenacity and resilience. Clearly, Stephen brings joy to everyone—the crowd demonstrated that.”