SECOND CENTURY Campaign
SECOND CENTURY CAMPAIGN
Worsham Field named for $1-million contributor
The Lane Stadium field will be known as Worsham Field when Virginia Tech opens its 1992 football season, thanks to a $1-million Second Century Campaign pledge from Kilmarnock, Va., Hokie booster Wes Worsham and his wife, Janet.
The Worsham gift will be used to fund capital projects and is the second $1-million pledge in the Second Century Campaign for intercollegiate athletics. It pushes the total raised to more than $13 million, just $4 million short of the December 1992 goal of $17 million.
Wes Worsham serves on the board of directors of the Virginia Tech Foundation, the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund, and on the steering committee of the Second Century Campaign. All four of his children and stepchildren--son Wayne, '78; daughter Angela Quick, '81; and stepdaughters Melanie Bonner, '89; and Stephanie Stahl, '89--graduated from Virginia Tech. Bonner is pursuing a doctorate in psychology at Virginia Tech now. The field is being named for the whole family, while the stadium will remain Lane Stadium.
"Virginia Tech has been very good to members of my family, and this gift is one way we can return some of the favors that have been extended to us," Worsham said in explaining why he made the pledge.
Worsham, a Powhatan native, established Worsham Sprinklers, sold that in 1971, and then founded Wesway Sprinkler Inc. in 1978. He is semiretired from the business. He donated $300,000 worth of land to Virginia Tech in 1986, and the football office complex was named "The Worsham Suite" at that time.
"The entire university is honored and inspired by the commitments expressed by Wes Worsham and his family," said Virginia Tech president James McComas. "Their name will now stand for an athletic field of excellence; their contributions and dedication will challenge us to excellence in many fields. All of us connected with the Tech program appreciate the loyalty and generosity of the entire Worsham family."
Dell Curry remembers university
Another alumnus who has risen to prominence remembered his alma mater recently. Former Virginia Tech basketball All-American Dell Curry, now a player for the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Hornets, also committed $50,000 to the Second Century Campaign in honor of his mother, Juanita, and his late father, Jack. The money will be used exclusively for basketball programs.
Curry says he will leave it up to Athletic Director Dave Braine and basketball coach Bill Foster to decide exactly how the money will be spent. "They're going to keep me informed, but I'm going to be really involved in it," Curry said. "I want to help the program."
The Virginia Tech Second Century Campaign was initiated to improve educational opportunities for student-athletes and to upgrade athletic facilities. The goals of the campaign are to raise $8.3 million for scholarships, $7.3 million for capital improvements, and $1.4 million in athletic initiative funds before concluding on Dec. 31, 1992.
Coach's pledge boosts athletics
Most college coaches put their time, hearts, and souls into improving the athletic program they direct. But when it comes to building and material needs necessary to make things click, few go as far as donating a substantial sum of their own money.
Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer has a decidedly different attitude about things, however. He saw a need for items such as improved training facilities and more meeting rooms, and instead of raising funds elsewhere, he pledged $50,000 of his own money. "I want to make sure I'm doing everything I possibly can to take this program to the next level," says Beamer, who played defensive back for the Hokies from 1966-68.
The pledge is earmarked for capital improvements such as modernizing training, weight, and locker rooms in Cassell Coliseum and the Jamerson Athletic Center as part of the university's $17-million Second Century Campaign for intercollegiate athletics. The 3-year campaign was initiated in January 1990.
Virginia Tech Magazine Volume 14, Number 2 Winter 1992