Ouachita dedicates AllCare Field House in honor of Sen. Percy Malone’s support of Tiger football
December 20, 2016
- Trennis HendersonHonoring Arkansas Sen. Percy Malone for his contributions to the Ouachita Tigers football
program, university officials unveiled signage for AllCare Field House during a Dec.
12 dedication service.
Sen. Malone, a longtime supporter of Ouachita Baptist University and Tiger athletics,
is an Arkadelphia pharmacist and businessman. He has served in both the Arkansas Senate
and Arkansas House of Representatives.
Expressing appreciation to Sen. Malone for providing a generous lead gift for renovations
to the field house, Head Coach Todd Knight said recent gifts have provided for improvements
to the field house’s team meeting room, weight room, locker room, offices and related
projects.
“Every dime that goes into this building will be well spent,” Knight emphasized, “not
just for these kids and these coaches, but for kids for many years to come who walk
into this field house. Thank you from our coaches and our players and a bunch of players
to come. It’s going to make a difference.”
Athletic Director David Sharp noted that Coach Knight’s vision and leadership, combined
with the gifts of Sen. Malone and other donors, “will impact so many young men’s lives
across this university and across this state and that’s what’s important.”
“Sen. Malone has been impacting this football program for 50 years,” Sharp added.
“This gift will influence for many, many years the lives of football players and student-athletes
here.”
Describing Sen. Malone as “a man of genuine Christian commitment” and “holy grit,”
Ouachita President Ben Sells said Sen. Malone and his wife, Donna, are committed to
children and making a positive difference in their lives. He expressed appreciation
for Sen. Malone’s deep ties to Ouachita and his example as a successful businessman
and community leader.
Responding to the words of appreciation, Sen. Malone said, “I’m overwhelmed, but I’m
not speechless. I’m really, really touched and moved by this.”
Citing the Ouachita coaching staff’s commitment to teaching their players “to feel
proud of who they play with and to have the pride to help each other and use that
energy for good,” Sen. Malone said, “I’ve always admired that about Ouachita.
“It’s been a wonderful relationship and I wish Godspeed and God bless all of you,”
he concluded. “I’m honored and gratified that you have honored me this way.”
By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications
Photo Information: Celebrating the recent dedication of Ouachita football’s renovated AllCare Field House are (from left): Athletic Director David Sharp, Ouachita President Ben Sells, Sen. Percy Malone and Tiger Football Head Coach Todd Knight. Download full photo by Wesley Kluck.
December 20, 2016
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