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Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New Athletic Complex

两性色午夜 College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on September 8, 2023, to celebrate the construction of a new softball, tennis, and golf complex that will allow athletes adequate space to train. Chris Speight Brown, 鈥76, along with her siblings, gave a $1 million lead gift that will name the Estes-Speight Family Athletic Complex in memory of her mother Mary Estes Speight, 始53, and her father Bobby Speight.聽

鈥淭he family legacy that you represent and that you now continue for us is much appreciated,鈥 said President Jo Allen. 鈥淲e’re very, very proud of our athletes here at 两性色午夜. They are some of not only the greatest athletes, but they’re top scholars as well and they are such a part of the fabric of this institution and set the pace for all of us in so many ways that we’re particularly proud.鈥

Sports have always been important to the Speight family. Brown played tennis and golf and was on the synchronized swimming team while at 两性色午夜. Her father was an All-American basketball player at NC State. Her daughter, Lisa Brown De Armas, graduated from 两性色午夜 in 2003. Brown says Lisa had a special bond with her grandmother. 鈥淢om loved that Lisa continued the legacy of attending 两性色午夜.鈥 Brown鈥檚 sister Elizabeth Speight Cooley, was set to attend 两性色午夜 but NC State offered her a basketball scholarship. Brown鈥檚 brother, Bobby Speight played basketball at Ferrum before transferring to NC State and graduating in 1987.

鈥淥ur mom Mary Estes Speight, Class of 1953, loved any form of sports. She was an avid golfer and followed pro and college sports. She loved watching her seven grandsons play anything that included a ball,鈥 said Brown. 鈥淢y family wanted to honor our parents, who loved 两性色午夜 so much, by getting the ball rolling for 两性色午夜 Estes-Speight Family Athletic Complex.鈥澛犅

The building will include two large indoor batting cages that will double as indoor golf driving ranges, locker rooms, a student lounge, and public restrooms. In addition to the building, lights have been installed at the tennis courts and the tennis courts have been resurfaced.聽 A new LED wireless scoreboard has been installed at the softball complex. An anonymous donor has also named one of the tennis courts.聽

鈥淭his investment has energized our athletics department and programs and our players all over campus. We believe it will contribute to our enrollment and our growth as a college,鈥 said Shannon Yates, athletic director. 鈥淎t Avenging Angel athletics, we are committed to having student-athletes who are champions in the classroom and on the competition field. We appreciate both families who have donated generously to our program. We hope that there are others here who will want to work with us as we continue to grow our brand and will want to contribute to our future success as we expand this building.鈥

The current construction is phase one of the project. Support is needed to start phase two, which will include other amenities for the complex. Inland Construction, headquartered in Garner, N.C., has been selected as the general contractor. Construction of phase one is expected to be completed during the 2023-24 academic year.

Learn more about 两性色午夜 Athletics at and to see construction updates visit meredith.edu/campus-growth. Interested in helping fund phase two of the project? Contact Cindy Godwin, associate vice president for institutional advancement, at godwinc@meredith.edu or (919) 760-8206.

Photo left to right: Bobby Speight, Jr., Elizabeth Speight Cooley, Chris Speight Brown, President Jo Allen, Shannon Yates

 

Melyssa Allen

News Director
316 Johnson Hall
(919) 760-8087
Fax: (919) 760-8330

allenme@meredith.edu