Pamela Davies & Wayne Weston,
A Partnership with Mecklenburg County

"This plan gives us the opportunity to achieve long-term goals set forth by the county years - if not decades - ahead of schedule," said Wayne Weston, director of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department.
 
Queens President Dr. Davies echoes Weston's enthusiasm, adding, "We will work diligently to assure this project is consistent with the county's master plan, is complementary to the objectives of the existing Senior and Marion Diehl Centers, is environmentally sensitive and is respectful of the surrounding neighborhoods."

Krista Tillman & Ben Jenkins,
A Partnership with Charlotte

Ben Jenkins, senior executive vice president and head of the General Bank for Wachovia Corporation, and Krista Tillman, president of BellSouth North Carolina, are co-chairs of the Queens Sports Complex campaign. Jenkins, also a Queens trustee, is enthusiastic about the project. "This state-of-the-art facility will be an example to park commissions throughout the country. I have personally reviewed the plans and strongly support this project," says Jenkins.

Tillman, named 2002 BusinessWoman of the Year by Queens and Wachovia, is impressed with the project's scope and design. "Our community needs a recreational facility that provides seniors and people with disabilities an equal opportunity to be involved in athletics. Queens has always been a good neighbor, and this is just one example of their commitment to the Charlotte community," says Tillman.

The two are leading the effort to raise $15 million to fund the project.

David Kiley & Fred Norchi,
A Partnership with the Community

David Kiley, director of the Adaptive Sport & Adventure Program (ASAP), a nine-time Paralympic Gold Medallist and former president of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, sees the forthcoming Queens Sports Complex as a new venue that will help grow his program and provide another resource for athletes with disabilities. "It is exciting to see Queens partnering with disability organizations, because in the end, everyone wins," says Kiley.

Fred Norchi, who has been coaching men's soccer at Queens since 1990, agrees with Kiley that the Queens Sports Complex will create a winning situation. "Athletics provide a unique
educational opportunity for our young people. It teaches them to strive for goals and handle success and failure. Teams can show the most character after losing by analyzing their weaknesses and working harder to achieve a better performance."

Jeannie King, Lou Jones '61 &
Rob Stevens '07,
A Partnership with Donors

Queens Trustee Emeritus Edwin Jones and wife, Lou '61, stepped forward and made the first donation to the facility, a $100,000 gift towards the development of the Lou Finch Jones Championship Tennis Court. Lou Jones comments, "I began playing tennis when I was a student at Queens and have been playing ever since. I've learned a lot from the wonderful and interesting people at Queens, both the coaches and the professors."

Rob Stevens '07, a mathematics major and varsity tennis player from Wilmington, N.C., is thankful for the Jones' generous gift. Stevens is looking forward to playing on the new courts, adding that better tennis courts will attract better opponents. "I'm always up for new challenges and playing a better team will push me to perform better."

Queens Athletic Director Jeannie King, pictured next to Jones and Stevens at the current Queens tennis facility, adds, "We are all very excited about the new facility, which will help us reach our full potential and Thrive in NCAA Division II athletics."

Ed and Jan Brown '73, '84 MBA &
Erin Crager '07,
A Partnership with Students

Ed and Jan Brown '73, '84 MBA, members of the Executive Committee of Queens President's Advisory Circle, pledged the first million dollar gift to the Sports Complex that will fund the new Brown Family Softball Field. "Both of my daughters played competitive softball, and I want to encourage other young women to become involved in the sport," says Ed Brown. Jan Brown adds, "I'm honored to be able to give back to Queens a small portion of what Queens has given to me."

Erin Crager '07, a business major from Cathedral City, Cal., has been playing softball for nine years and is the current shortstop on the Queens softball team. Crager is excited about the new Sports Complex and grateful for the Browns' generous donation. "I think this will be great," says Crager, adding, "We will finally be able to play on a 'home field,' which will boost morale for players and spectators alike."

The softball team currently plays at Park Road Park.