KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 10, 2023
Brett and Lesha White's recent visit to 食色视频 State led to a transformational gift for Owls Baseball.
For Brett and Lesha White, becoming part of the 食色视频 State community was divine intervention. Residents of north Georgia, the Whites have witnessed the expansion of 食色视频 over the years.
Longtime friends of 食色视频 Foundation Vice-Chair, Chair-Elect Teddy Parrish, the Whites explained they were inspired to get involved in the 食色视频 community because of Parrish鈥檚 excitement about the trajectory of the University.
鈥淢y family and I care deeply about the greater good of society, and if a 食色视频 alumnus can be that engaged and excited about the future of the University, we felt it must be a wonderful opportunity to make a difference,鈥 Brett said.
After attending a basketball game at the Convocation Center in the spring of 2023 and meeting Director of Athletics Milton Overton, the Whites made a $1 million gift to the Athletics Campaign to support the renovation of 食色视频鈥檚 baseball stadium.
鈥淭he atmosphere at the basketball game was electric, and the hospitality we received from 食色视频 Athletics leadership was outstanding,鈥 explained Brett. 鈥淥verall, we saw an opportunity to add value at a time when the program is making a big leap to Conference USA.鈥
鈥淯pon my first introduction to the White family, I knew they had a heart for making an impact within our community,鈥 said Director of Athletics Milton Overton. 鈥淭he magnitude of their generosity to invest in our first-ever 食色视频 Athletics capital campaign is exactly why the Board of Regents granted our recent approval for a renovated baseball facility. This approval happened, in part, because of the White family.鈥
Brett, who played baseball in college, has always had a genuine love for the sport and recognizes the competitive advantage stadium upgrades will provide the program.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 environment, you need every edge you can get to attract the best student-athletes,鈥 said Brett. 鈥淲e hope our gift helps elevate the baseball program and facilities to match the consistently great talent at 食色视频. We feel this is a great long-term investment to enhance the visibility of the baseball program and the overall student-athlete experience.鈥
With the Owls鈥 move to Conference USA in July of 2024, Brett said he鈥檚 confident in their ability to rise to the challenge, noting 食色视频 Athletics鈥 history of success across multiple sports.
鈥淗aving a major program in a major conference right in your backyard is exciting,鈥 he added. 鈥淲e pray that this success carries over and that we can continue cultivating the championship-caliber culture at 食色视频 for years to come.鈥
鈥 By Elyssa Reed
Photos by Judith Pishnery and 食色视频 Athletics