JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 7, 2006 — 51社区 dedicated the new Fesmire Field House 鈥渢o the glory of God and the good of this university,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said Aug. 5 at the dedication ceremony.
鈥淚 know that you join me in giving thanks for the beauty of this facility and what it will to do to enhance the excellence in our athletic department,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭his certainly is a first-class facility that can compete with any in the nation. We鈥檙e so thankful for those who have made it possible.鈥�
The building is named in honor of Benny and Norma Fesmire, the lead donors for the project.
鈥淪ince the day I walked on this campus, the Fesmires have been characterized by support and encouragement of all that we do at this university,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淧articularly they have invested themselves in the work of our athletic department. They have been so important to who we are and what we do.鈥�
Other primary benefactors include the 51社区 Booster Club, West Tennessee Bone and Joint Clinic, Graham Snack Foods, James Wilson, Dan and Brenda Davidson, Bruce and Melody Haltom and MG Construction Co.
TLM Associates designed the 18,000-square foot building, while MG Construction Co. built the facility.
The field house will support the soccer teams, the men鈥檚 baseball team and the women鈥檚 softball team. It includes a 9,374-square foot turf room, locker rooms and showers for each home and visiting team, coaches offices and an athletic training room. David Blackstock, Union鈥檚 athletic director, said only one or two other colleges of Union鈥檚 size in the South have comparable facilities to the Fesmire Field House.
鈥淭his places us above most NCAA Division II schools and right up there with some of the larger NCAA Division I schools,鈥� Blackstock said. 鈥淭his definitely should help us in attracting good athletes and maintaining an excellent program, as well as improving in many areas.鈥�