NEWS

NEWBERRY — Newberry College has announced that it will name its new athletic performance center, to occupy Setzler Field’s north end zone, in honor of upstate philanthropists Melvin and the late Dollie Younts.

The announcement comes after the Fountain Inn couple’s namesake foundation agreed to an additional $500,000 in matching gifts raised for Newberry’s stadium project. This additional gift allows for the naming rights on the project and now totals $1.5 million in total commitments from the Younts family.

“We are so grateful to Melvin and the Younts family for their generous support of Newberry College, our mission, and our vision for the future,” said President Maurice Scherrens. “We are proud to name our north end zone project in recognition of all that their support has meant to Newberry College.”

The Younts family is regarded as one of South Carolina’s leading supporters of higher education, having supported initiatives at numerous other private and public colleges and universities.

“Melvin’s generosity is a real game changer for us,” said Director of Athletics Ralph Patterson. “We are honored that he shares our vision and enthusiasm to build a first-class stadium, and we hope that his passion to help inspires others.”

The college broke ground on the new facility in September, launching the first phase of additions and renovations to Setzler Field. The 6,750-square-foot center will include a 3,000-square-foot weight room, 2,000 square feet of athletic training space, a medical examination room, office space, a locker room for game officials and public restrooms. The stadium’s scoreboard will have a new home on the front of the athletic performance center.

Completion of the project is expected in time for the football and field hockey seasons this fall, and for men’s and women’s lacrosse in spring 2021. The second phase of the stadium project will include an athletic field house on Setzler Field’s east side.