Tusculum College dedicated its sports complex on Saturday as the "Scott M. Niswonger Sports Complex" in honor of the contributions the Greeneville-based business leader and philanthropist has made to the school. In front of a plaque with the words "Learn, Earn, and Return" that summarize Niswonger's philanthropic philosophy are, from left, Thomas Garland, chairman of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees; Tusculum President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry; and Niswonger. (Tusculum College photo)

Tusculum unveils 'Niswonger Sports Complex' in ceremony

Tusculum College's sports complex is now named for the man who personally funded its development: Greeneville-based business leader and philanthropist Scott M. Niswonger.

In a brief ceremony Saturday (Oct. 25) at the entrance to Pioneer Field, the heart of the sports complex, college leaders and Niswonger himself joined a large crowd as Tusculum College unveiled the complex as the Scott M. Niswonger Sports Complex, a name now engraved on a large stone plaque set into the side of the football stadium near its main home-side entrance.

The plaque says NISWONGER SPORTS COMPLEX, followed by the words that summarize Niswonger's philanthropic philosophy: LEARN, EARN, RETURN, then the date 2001, the year the complex was substantially completed.

The ceremony opened shortly before 1 p.m. with comments by Tusculum College President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry. He declared the day a special one not only because of the highly anticipated football game between rivals Tusculum and visiting Carson-Newman College, but because of the dedication of the sports complex.

The Rev. Dr. Daniel Donaldson, pastor of Greeneville First Presbyterian Church and a college trustee, substituted for Athletic Director Ed Hoffmeyer in giving the invocation. Hoffmeyer had been called to the football field.

Thomas Garland, chairman of the Tusculum College Board of Trustees and a long-time associate and friend of Niswonger, spoke next, noting that future histories of Tusculum College will include the Niswonger name among those of individuals most influential in the college's founding and growth: Hezekiah Balch, Samuel Doak, and Nettie Fowler McCormick.

"This region and especially this college are blessed because Scott M. Niswonger came this way," Garland said.

Niswonger himself then spoke, saying that he funded the sports complex because of his personal association with and belief in Tusculum College, which he attended as an adult student in the 1980s and which he now serves as a trustee, and because he believes in the value of collegiate athletics.

Athletics are of particular value at a college such as Tusculum because of Tusculum's mission to build individuals of "good character, strong motivations, and personal strength and leadership," Niswonger said. "Athletics contribute to all of those traits."

He noted that athletics "allow young people the opportunity to become achievers, to develop skills of which they can be proud all of their lives ... athletics teach lessons that transfer to family, community, business, and religious life," he said.

He further noted that athletics open the door for many young people to "obtain a good, solid education at a school such as Tusculum." Many of today's successful professionals "got their training through college educations funded by athletic scholarships," he said. "When you train an athlete on the field or court and in the classroom, you help build that potential leader for tomorrow."

He also emphasized that college athletics provide an "excellent point of contact between the college and the community, the 'town' and 'gown,' if you will. An excellent athletic program creates positive public awareness of a college in a way little else can. That awareness tends to generate support for the college through new students, teachers, administrators, and donors, he said.

Lastly, said Niswonger, "Athletics are a way for a college to give something valuable and enjoyable back to the community."

Niswonger concluded his comments by noting that remarks he made back in 2000 regarding his hopes for the sports complex apparently are being fulfilled in what has actually happened since at Tusculum College.

He said in 2000 that he hoped the improved athletics facilities would "help Tusculum College to come competitive at the NCAA Division II level" and enable the college to attract more students, both athletes and non-athletes.

Tusculum has enjoyed many athletic successes since then, and its growth has nearly doubled the size of the Residential College, he said.

"Tusculum is building itself into an ever-better college, and this athletic complex has been one tool in that building process," he said. "I am pleased to have been able to fund this complex, and look forward to seeing its further development as our baseball stadium is built over the next 12 months."

Ending his remarks with a hearty yell of "Go, Pioneers!" Niswonger then pulled down a drape covering the engraved stone tablet bearing the complex's name. After applause from the onlookers, Dr. Henry then closed the ceremony by inviting all present to remain and "enjoy the game."

That game turned out to be easy for Pioneer fans to enjoy, as Tusculum took advantage of five turnovers to earn a 27-18 upset win over third-ranked Carson-Newman College before a sellout crowd at Pioneer Field.