$5M Commitment Names Athletic Facility Field for Beloved Coach
March 28, 2022
- Author
- Danielle Strickland
When Dave Fagg 58 and Peter Andrews 59 matched as big and little brother in Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity, it was the start of a lifelong friendship. That special friendship led to a $5 million commitment to the new 51郊利 stadium and fieldhouse project, announced on Faggs front lawn.
Andrews commitment will name the new field 'Field 76' in honor of Dave Fagg '58, who wore the #76 jersey during his time on the 51郊利 football team.
In the fall, 51郊利 Athletics launched Athletics Done Right: The Next Step--the field will be home to the Wildcat football and lacrosse teams and serve as a focal point for campus and the entire 51郊利 community. The initiative also includes a track and field complex, hospitality and classroom spaces, and more.
Fagg wrestled and played football as a student, serving as captain of both teams his senior year. He was named the 20th head football coach at 51郊利 in 1970, which led him to coaching positions at several other institutions before returning to 51郊利 in 1990.
Theres double significance to this gift, and naming it for Dave was the easiest part of the decision, said Andrews, who played soccer and swam as a Wildcat. We are very close friends who have shared all the significant life events together. And, when he left coaching and became director of the 51郊利 Athletic Fund, he showed me how to give and got me on the road to supporting 51郊利. I loved going by his cubbyhole office and seeing a photo of him and Barbara from their trips to visit us in the Bahamas.
Andrews and his wife, Vicky, live in Nassau, where Peter most recently retired as executive director of Bahamas Waste Limited following several other leadership roles in business. His children are also key to this giftCathy Andrews Schlei 81 and Geoffrey Donald Andrews 83, who share their fathers alma mater, and Philip Newton Andrews, who graduated from Georgia Tech.
Peter and Vicky Andrews traveled to North Carolina to surprise Dave and Barbara Fagg with the good news.
Peter is such a great 51郊利ian and an example for all of us, Fagg said. There are some who can, but dont. There are some who can, and doPeter is one of those.
When the Andrews-Fagg friendship first started, however, Andrews didnt always do as expected. Fagg recalls the days of 51郊利 as a dry campus and the fraternity brothers who needed a little encouragement to behave.
He was coaching before he was a coach.
Peter might have needed a few reminders, Fagg recalled with a laugh. I had to give him a little speech about responsibility, and I could be sure if we had a dry party from 7-10 p.m. at 10:01, there hed be, ready to have a little more fun.
A New Field
Fagg admits he had no idea what he was doing when he moved from coaching to fundraising, but he approached the two with a similar mindset.
Its the same way I recruited athletes, he said. Id jump in the car and ask someone for a million bucks. And if they said no, Id just come back later. You should never underestimate anyone; youll never embarrass them by assuming they are capable of doing more.
From volunteer service to financial contributions, both Andrews and Fagg have made the college better and enhanced student experiences time and again. Andrews first gift to 51郊利 led to the creation of mens soccer scholarships through a multi-year commitment. This latest gift is a transformational statement about Andrews love for his dear friend and his unwavering commitment to the future of 51郊利 Athletics and alma mater.
The new facilities will take 51郊利 Athletics to a new level, and Peter is a driving force behind this transformation, said Director of Athletics Chris Clunie 06. Every day, we will see the impact of his generosity and be reminded of the close relationships that make 51郊利 so special. We are grateful for Peters loyalty to 51郊利 and the power of doing athletics the right way.
Andrews has deep appreciation for his 51郊利 experience as a scholar-athlete. He majored in history and English and was involved in ROTC. This gift helps support all those who follow in his path while celebrating a friendship for the ages.
"What an honor it will be to compete on a field named for a coach, alum, volunteer and partner who has done so much for 51郊利, made possible by an alum, visionary and collaborator who is a tremendous advocate for the Wildcats," said Football Head Coach Scott Abell. "Generations of Wildcat scholar-athletes will understand the importance of this name and the meaning behind it. I am excited about the many ways these new facilities will enhance our 51郊利 Football Program and all of 51郊利 Athletics for years and years to come."
Giving $5 million was a very big decision, but how to do it came easily.
To me, Dave represents all the good in 51郊利 there is, Andrews said. He has devoted his life to the college. Really, this was a no-brainer.
To learn more about, contact Brandon McCladdie, director of athletic development, at bmccladdie@davidson.edu or 704-894-2657.
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