Scoggins Make Generous Donation to Indoor Practice Facility Project
4/12/2022 11:30:00 AM | Football, Athletic Foundation
Long-time supporters give $1 million in honor of late spouses
STATESBORO - Long-time supporters Dennard and Wanda Scoggins have made a $1 million donation to the Plaza as part of the Anthony P. Tippins Indoor Practice Facility project, as announced Tuesday by the Georgia Southern Department of Athletics and the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation.
The Parrish-Scoggins Donor Recognition Plaza will be named by Dr. Dennard L. Scoggins and Wanda Parrish Scoggins in memory of their late spouses Patricia Griffin Scoggins and Dan J. Parrish Jr., pending Board of Regents approval.
"When approached about giving for this project, the idea of naming the Plaza that serves as the main entrance for the fans appealed to Dennard and me," Wanda Scoggins said. "That entrance area will celebrate the lives of Dan and Pat but will also celebrate all the great memories that Eagle fans have had at Paulson Stadium over the years. It will also allow us to recognize donors who have given significantly to the football program over the years. "
"We love Georgia Southern and don't take its history and traditions lightly," Dennard Scoggins said.
Wanda Parrish and Dennard Scoggins met for the first time in Miss Ela Johnson's English 101 classroom at Georgia Southern in 1960. They dated for about two years then moved on and lived separate lives, occasionally crossing paths at Georgia Southern events.
Mrs. Parrish, the original secretary for the Southern Boosters and the first woman to serve as the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation chair, was inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. Dr. Scoggins was the head of school, athletics director and head coach for two football and track state championships at Tiftarea Academy in Tifton, Georgia, and retired as an administrator with Bibb County Public Schools.
After Pat and Dan died, Wanda and Dennard reconnected over their love of Georgia Southern football. During the home opener for the 2019 Georgia Southern football season, Scoggins proposed to Parrish on Glenn Bryant Field at Paulson Stadium, asking for the approval of Eagle Nation. They tied the knot that October on the top step of the administration building on Sweetheart Circle where they first met. They call Metter home but return to Statesboro often for Eagle sporting events.
The couple believes that although their lives have come full circle, that circle is open-ended to embrace all of Eagle Nation.
"We are very appreciative of Dennard and Wanda Scoggins' generous gift to the indoor practice facility (IPF)," Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Jared Benko said. "The Scoggins are as 'True Blue' as they come and their continued generosity and support means a great deal to us. This leadership commitment, along with other generous pledges over the past 15 months, provides great momentum as we approach almost $8 million in commitments toward our $12.3 million goal."
Georgia Southern announced plans for the Anthony P. Tippins Family Indoor Practice Facility on March 23. A groundbreaking ceremony for the facility will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m., before the annual Blue/White Spring Football Game.
If you would like to help support the Anthony P. Tippins Family Indoor Practice Facility, please visit Give.GSEagles.com/IPF to make a donation today! If you would like to talk about giving options, please contact Ben Rodriguez at BenRodriguez@GeorgiaSouthern.edu or 912-601-7892.
For more information on Georgia Southern Athletics, visit GSeagles.com.
The Parrish-Scoggins Donor Recognition Plaza will be named by Dr. Dennard L. Scoggins and Wanda Parrish Scoggins in memory of their late spouses Patricia Griffin Scoggins and Dan J. Parrish Jr., pending Board of Regents approval.
"When approached about giving for this project, the idea of naming the Plaza that serves as the main entrance for the fans appealed to Dennard and me," Wanda Scoggins said. "That entrance area will celebrate the lives of Dan and Pat but will also celebrate all the great memories that Eagle fans have had at Paulson Stadium over the years. It will also allow us to recognize donors who have given significantly to the football program over the years. "
"We love Georgia Southern and don't take its history and traditions lightly," Dennard Scoggins said.
Wanda Parrish and Dennard Scoggins met for the first time in Miss Ela Johnson's English 101 classroom at Georgia Southern in 1960. They dated for about two years then moved on and lived separate lives, occasionally crossing paths at Georgia Southern events.
Mrs. Parrish, the original secretary for the Southern Boosters and the first woman to serve as the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation chair, was inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. Dr. Scoggins was the head of school, athletics director and head coach for two football and track state championships at Tiftarea Academy in Tifton, Georgia, and retired as an administrator with Bibb County Public Schools.
After Pat and Dan died, Wanda and Dennard reconnected over their love of Georgia Southern football. During the home opener for the 2019 Georgia Southern football season, Scoggins proposed to Parrish on Glenn Bryant Field at Paulson Stadium, asking for the approval of Eagle Nation. They tied the knot that October on the top step of the administration building on Sweetheart Circle where they first met. They call Metter home but return to Statesboro often for Eagle sporting events.
The couple believes that although their lives have come full circle, that circle is open-ended to embrace all of Eagle Nation.
"We are very appreciative of Dennard and Wanda Scoggins' generous gift to the indoor practice facility (IPF)," Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Jared Benko said. "The Scoggins are as 'True Blue' as they come and their continued generosity and support means a great deal to us. This leadership commitment, along with other generous pledges over the past 15 months, provides great momentum as we approach almost $8 million in commitments toward our $12.3 million goal."
Georgia Southern announced plans for the Anthony P. Tippins Family Indoor Practice Facility on March 23. A groundbreaking ceremony for the facility will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m., before the annual Blue/White Spring Football Game.
If you would like to help support the Anthony P. Tippins Family Indoor Practice Facility, please visit Give.GSEagles.com/IPF to make a donation today! If you would like to talk about giving options, please contact Ben Rodriguez at BenRodriguez@GeorgiaSouthern.edu or 912-601-7892.
For more information on Georgia Southern Athletics, visit GSeagles.com.
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