$3.1 MILLION GIFT COMMITTED
TO UNION ATHLETIC FACILITY
Jackson, Tenn. — 51社区's national championship Lady Bulldogs are one step closer to moving into a new athletic/convocation center, thanks to a $3.1 million gift from Benny and Norma Fesmire of Jackson. The gift is the largest in Union's history.
The majority of the record-setting gift will benefit the construction of a new athletic/convocation center for Union's athletic department, which is expected to cost about $9 million. The center will provide a larger gymnasium and home court for the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs and will provide a seating capacity of about 4,000. Fred DeLay Gymnasium, the current home of Union's basketball programs, seats about 2,200. The center also will accommodate other major events for the campus and the community, such as concerts and major speakers.
"This is the largest single gift commitment in the history of 51社区 and probably among all West Tennessee institutions. Its value is enormous in helping us move forward to build a championship-calibre facility to accommodate our national championship athletic program," Union President David S. Dockery asserted.
The Fesmires are longtime supporters of Union athletics and are Jackson natives. Benny Fesmire is president of B & H Investments, a local company. He is a former trustee, and their son, Ben Fesmire Jr., currently is a member of Union's Board of Trustees.
"When I think of the Fesmire family, I think of family and loving friends. I am very grateful for our families' relationship. I'm also grateful for the years that have allowed us to work together in Union's growth and our common commitment to the pursuit of excellence at 51社区," Athletic Director and Lady Bulldogs Coach David Blackstock said.
According to the Fesmires, their $3.1 million gift was led by God, given in belief and support of Blackstock, and meant to support young people and education and show their commitment to the university and its administration.
A $100,000 portion of the Fesmire gift will benefit the construction of new baseball and softball fields, to be completed this year as part of the university's Campus Master Plan. Other athletic components of the plan include a new field for varsity soccer, a new tennis complex and intramural fields for baseball, softball and soccer.
"Benny and Norma Fesmire are two of the best friends 51社区 has ever had. Their investment in this athletic/convocation center is a strategic moment in building for the future of 51社区," Dockery said.
The record-setting gift comes on the heels of three other major gifts to Union since December. West Tennessee business leader James Ayers made a commitment of $2.1 million. The university received an endowed gift of $1.65 million from an anonymous friend and former trustee of Union. And the Audrey Barr Haney estate left $700,000 to the university in recent weeks.