RALEIGH, N.C. -- Meredith College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 5, for the Estes-Speight Family Athletic Center. The new athletic center was made possible by Chris Speight Brown, '76, along with her siblings Elizabeth Speight Cooley and Bobby Speight, Jr., who made a $1 million lead gift to name the center in memory of their mother, Mary Estes Speight, '53, and their father, Bobby Speight, NC State All-American basketball player.
The new athletic building includes two large indoor batting cages, a golf simulator (coming soon), locker rooms, a student-athlete lounge, and public restrooms. The building is adjacent to the softball field and tennis courts. Brown also funded the Meredith College Athletics Hall of Fame, named for her daughter Lisa Brown De Armas, '03. The Hall of Fame is housed in the Cate Student Center.
"Meredith College and Raleigh have meant so much to my entire family," said Brown. "I wanted to pay tribute to Mom and Dad's love of sports and Mom's love of Meredith."
President Aimee Sapp welcomed the Estes-Speight family, former and current athletes, coaches, major athletic donors, Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff, representatives from Inland Construction, the general contractor for the building, and other dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
"I'd like to thank the Speight family for all they have done for Meredith College. Three generations of Speight women have graced the halls of Meredith and given back to the College in their own unique way. We are grateful for the commitment of your family to enhancing the strength and vitality of Meredith College for all future generations of strong women."
Sapp also thanked Bill Neustadt, Ginger Neustadt's, '05, husband, for being in attendance.
"Another important contributor to this building was Ginger Neustadt. Ginger generously and lovingly contributed to the naming of the student-athlete lounge. She made this gift before her death this year," said Sapp.
Neustadt graduated in 2005, having enrolled at Meredith at the age of 64. After retirement, she served on the Meredith Board of Trustees. Known for her outgoing nature, it's only fitting that the building's social hub—the student-athlete lounge—now bears her name.
The new building mainly serves the softball, tennis, and golf teams, but all student-athletes will enjoy the student lounge. A place to watch game film, study, and prepare for practice or the next game.
Jackie Myers, Meredith athletic director, welcomed attendees and introduced the coaching staff, including new coaches for flag football, tennis, and golf.
'I want to publicly thank you, President Sapp, for your shared vision for the athletic program and the value and the benefit that athletics can bring to an institution like Meredith College," said Myers. "Thank you to the Estes-Speight family for your incredible generosity to the College and to our athletics program. In recognition of your mother and her alma mater, it is a testament of your love for her and the strength of your family. We are sincerely grateful."
Meredith's athletic offerings have grown significantly through the years, now offering 11 sports at the Division III level.
"The impact this new building will have on recruits and retention is immeasurable. To be able to walk a prospect through this facility will speak volumes to those young women considering Meredith," said Myers.
Kim Scavone, head softball coach for the past 15 years, also served as the project manager for the construction of the building.
Scavone reflected on the growth of Meredith softball and the facility improvements over the past 15 years, noting that this new addition will further strengthen her program.
"When I started 15 years ago, I knew it was going to take a lot of work and time, and fundraising for the softball facility to match the Athletic Field and Track Complex at the front of campus. We worked on the program, the fields, and the future of Meredith softball. I am so proud of what we have accomplished, and the legacy of success that Avenging Angels have left," said Scavone.
Scavone believes the program has built a strong reputation in the community and created a student-athlete experience that Avenging Angels will carry with them for a lifetime, though it has required creativity in managing limited space and resources.
"Today we celebrate the generosity and vision of the Estes-Speight family. To say this building is a dream come true is probably not an accurate statement because back on that first campus tour I took 15 years ago, I do not think I dreamed quite this big," said Scavone. "I now have seen countless Division III softball facilities, and I can say without question that the Estes-Speight family has made it possible to have the best in our conference, region, and probably the nation. We have already seen the impact on recruiting and bringing in talented new coaches. I know our athletes are so grateful for the daily impact it has on their experience, and I know it will be a wonderful place for athletes from all teams to study, bond, relax, and train for generations to come."
Brown acknowledged not only her family legacy at Meredith but also the long line of athletes in her family. Her father, Bobby Speight, was an All-American basketball player at NC State, and his jersey hangs in the rafters at the Lenovo Center, home of NC State basketball. Brown was on the Aqua Angels synchronized swimming team at Meredith, and after graduation, continued to play competitive team tennis on four different levels. Her sister, Elizabeth, received the first women's athletic scholarship at NC State and played women's basketball. Her brother, Bobby Jr., graduated from NC State as well and had two sons who played football for the University of Michigan.
"Our entire family loves playing and watching sports. Golf was my mother's passion, but she loved watching all sports in person or on television, and especially loved watching her grandchildren play sports. My family is so thrilled to honor our family with the naming of this building," said Brown.
After the ribbon-cutting, students gave tours of the new building to all in attendance, and then the event continued with the unveiling of the Meredith College Athletics Hall of Fame at the Cate Center.
Myers has had the vision for an Athletics Hall of Fame for over 10 years. During her speech at the Cate Center, she thanked
Fiona Barkley, assistant athletics director, Institutional Advancement, President Sapp, and Jean Jackson, vice president for college programs, for all their help in bringing this shared vision to life.Meredith College Athletics Hall of Fame
The Meredith College Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes the academic and athletic accomplishments of Meredith College athletes, coaches, and administrators. Over the history of the program, many outstanding athletes and coaches have achieved records and other accomplishments worthy of this recognition.
"This Hall of Fame is a bit of a reverse tribute from the Speight-Brown family. Chris, as the mom, would like to dedicate this space to her daughter, Lisa Brown De Armas, the third generation of this family to attend Meredith," said Myers.
De Armas excelled as a student at Meredith. She majored in international business with a concentration in Spanish. She and her husband, Pedro, now publish a Spanish-language newspaper, El Informador, which is the largest Spanish-language publication in the Charleston, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach region of her home state of South Carolina.
"I am sure she is very proud of our 894 all-academic USA South student athletes," said Myers. "Now, thanks to her family, Meredith can sponsor our own Hall of Fame, which will greatly enhance our chances of our student athletes getting into the USA South Conference Hall of Fame. Now that the groundwork has been laid for this space, we will be inducting our first class very soon."
A touchscreen located in the space will feature Hall of Fame inductees' profiles, as well as the history of the athletics program, along with athletic videos. Trophy cases for all athletic sports are also on display, including individual national recognition.
Myers invited Chris Speight Brown to unveil the sign for the Lisa Brown De Armas, '03, Meredith College Athletics Hall of Fame.
"Lisa was very involved at Meredith, though she didn't compete in sports," said Brown. "She loved the idea of having the Hall of Fame displayed in the Cate Center, where there is more foot traffic, and she has the desire to see it expand to recognize student-athletes' academic achievements."
The first class of Meredith's Hall of Fame will be inducted this academic year.
