by Sarah Thomack
With the sounds and excitement of the Men's and Women's Track and Field NCCAA National Championships in the background, members of the Robert "Ish" Smith family and the W. Richard Stephens family, along with representatives from Greenville University and the City of Greenville, broke ground at the site of the future athletic building. The building will be located at the John M. Strahl athletic complex along Elm Street.
At the site of the future athletic building are (left to right) Greenville University Board of Trustees Member and representative of the GU athletic building taskforce Steve Ellsworth, Robert "Ish" Smith's son Chuck Smith, and daughter Cyndi Oglesby, GU President Emeritus W. Richard Stephens, Greenville Mayor George Barber, Greenville University President Suzanne Davis, Greenville University Director of Athletics Tom Ackerman, and Greenville University Chief Development Officer Scott Giffen.
A building to honor "GU Giants"
The building honors the legacy of the late Robert "Ish" Smith, former GU president and baseball coach, and GU President Emeritus W. Richard Stephens, who was instrumental in starting the Panther Football program in 1987.
Greenville University's athletic program is built on a legacy of stellar coaches and leaders, like Smith and Stephens, who exemplified GU's mission of character and service. Today, GU Panthers stand on the shoulders of these giants, envisioning a newly enhanced athletic complex that extends the heritage and vibrancy of Panther athletics into the future.
Architectural rendering of the future athletic building. Rendering does not reflect final design.
The vision for the building includes additional stadium seating and rentable event space. The building will feature the Robert "Ish" Smith Athletic Hall of Fame showcasing baseball memorabilia from Smith's collection from his time serving with U.S.A. and World baseball organizations.
"I know [Ish] would be so pleased at what's going on today and what's going to happen with athletics," said Greenville Mayor George Barber. "He believed it's not about winning or losing, it's about pouring character ideals into these student athletes, and that's the main focus for both [Ish and Rich] and… we try to do that at Greenville, and we hope to carry on that legacy."
The W. Richard Stephens Clubhouse includes much-needed restroom facilities and locker rooms for multiple athletic teams. GU currently hosts football, soccer, baseball, softball, and track and field events at the athletic complex.
"W. Richard is one of the three GU people who were key in my life," said Steve Ellsworth, a 1980 GU alum, business affairs committee chair on the GU Board of Trustees and representative of the GU athletic building taskforce. "I got involved with the athletic building to honor both Rich and Ish, but also as a trustee, I understand the financials. Sitting in my office in Colorado, I felt the call of the Holy Spirit say, get involved."
Construction at the site is scheduled to begin in late August 2022, with a target date for completion in the fall 2023.
Give to the Robert "Ish" Smith Athletic Hall of Fame and W. Richard Stephens Clubhouse.
