18 September ICC formally opens softball and tennis complex September 18, 2024 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College formally opened its softball and tennis complex today (Sept. 18) with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Fulton Campus. “Today, we are formally opening our softball and tennis complex,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen, “and as I shared on March 7 last year when we broke ground for this magnificent facility, it’s not just any softball and tennis complex. It’s the best in the league.” The 6,010-square-foot complex in addition to the softball stadium includes separate locker rooms for both men’s and women’s tennis and softball (each is equipped with lockers, restrooms, showers, ICC athletic branding and nutrition area), laundry facilities and training area and storage rooms for both softball and tennis, all on the first floor; a press box with radio booth, scorekeeper and announcing booth and President’s hospitality suite and two large open party decks at the top of the stadium on the second floor. The softball stadium includes both chair back and bench seats. “We appreciate all of those who have played a significant role in this project,” Allen said. “As with tennis and softball and all sports, it truly took a team to bring us to today. We appreciate the members of the Board of Trustees and our ICC administrative team for their leadership and collaboration on this project, which will provide not only a new home for our softball and tennis teams, but also a space that is not only functional, but is a vital component of ICC’s attracting future tennis and softball student-athletes.” In sharing his excitement and appreciation, tennis coach Michael Metz said, “Among the facility improvements that have been made at ICC over the years, this is certainly one of the most exciting things that has happened to Itawamba tennis in the history of the program. As you know, our tennis courts are named after two significant individuals who shaped the sport at ICC, longtime coaches Paul Johnson and the late Linda Partlow. Both of these legendary coaches would share my pride in this opportunity for ICC tennis.” The courts were built in 1979, refurbished in 2001 and most recently with this project in 2023. “Our players and coaches are grateful for the opportunity to represent you and most appreciative of this beautiful addition to our athletic facilities.” First-year softball coach Carson Owens also expressed his gratitude. “We appreciate the thoughtfulness and willingness of our Itawamba leadership who understands the vital importance of having a facility designed and tailored for the needs of our softball program. This facility will allow our players, both current and future, to have their own space, a beautiful and well-thought out and planned space. It will also be a tremendous asset in the recruitment of future ICC softball players to show the College’s commitment toward providing our students the BEST environment we can offer them while they are on our campus for two years.” In speaking on behalf of both tennis and softball, ICC Athletic Director Dr. Chad Case noted, “This facility will enable our coaches to recruit some of the best players because it serves as a visual reminder that ICC cares enough about our student-athletes to provide top-notch accommodations. Our investment in all of our student-athletes, such as this facility is an investment in their future, one that will reap significant dividends for many years to come.” Following the ceremony, those who attended had the opportunity to be among the first to tour the facility and were treated to a tailgate on the party deck. Related Articles ICC to formally open new softball/tennis complex, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. - public is invited The public is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Itawamba Community College’s new softball and tennis complex at the Fulton Campus, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. A ribbon cutting will open the 6,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility that includes locker rooms, laundry facilities and a small training area, all on the first floor; three separated rooms for scoring, announcer and the media and two large open decks at the top of the stadium with both chair back and bench seats on the second floor. During the groundbreaking ceremony on March 7, 2023, ICC President Dr. Jay Allen said, “It’s not just going to be ANY softball and tennis complex. It’s going to be the BEST in the league. I can’t wait to gather here again as we cut the ribbon on this magnificent facility.” “Come and enjoy refreshments and a facility tour as we cut the ribbon to kick off a new era for our sports teams,” Allen said today. “This is a celebration of the hard work and dedication that made this project possible, ... ICC formally opens Soccer Complex Itawamba Community College formally opened its soccer complex at the Fulton Campus with a ribbon cutting Oct. 30. The building, which was donated to ICC by First American National Bank several years ago, has been repurposed into a facility that includes a lobby, separate locker rooms for the men’s and women’s teams, a shared meeting space, training room for pregame and postgame taping and icing of players as well as a laundry room. There are also entrances for each team to access the field and mud rooms to store their soccer cleats. Both teams have storage rooms, and there is a restroom in the lobby where game officials can change clothes before and after games. With the addition of volleyball, ICC’s staff began work on a preliminary design to free locker room space in the Davis Event Center to accommodate the new team as well as visiting basketball and volleyball players, said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. Contracts were awarded to Pryor Morrow Architects PA and Worsham Brothers Construction, Inc. to bring the ... ICC formally reopens W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center Itawamba Community College formally reopened the newly-renovated W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center at the Fulton Campus during a ribbon cutting, Apr. 20. Renovations began in the fall of 2021 to restore the decades-old 24,000-square-foot facility, which had not received any major work since it was built in 1978. With upgrades to almost every inch of the facility, the state-of-the-art auditorium, lecture space, exhibit hall and lobby now boast modern designs that are more inviting to guests. The renovations were designed by McCarty Architects. ICC formally opens state-of-the-art Magnolia Hall with ribbon cutting Itawamba Community College formally opened its new residential facility, Magnolia Hall, with a ribbon cutting today at 10 a.m. at the Fulton Campus. “I have had an opportunity to participate in several milestones since arriving here at ICC…the opening of the new Academic and Student Center on our Tupelo Campus, the naming of many different spaces across our locations…but very few as significant as this one,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “The opening of this innovative student-friendly residence hall will provide state-of-the-art housing accommodations for 246 additional ICC student leaders and scholars,” Allen said. “Even with this additional number of beds, we still have more than 350 students on waiting lists for housing this fall. This simply reinforces the dire need of this hall.” The 72,000-square-foot three story residence hall has customizable halls/wings for separated male and female occupancy and two efficiency apartments as well as one for the hall director. “Not only will it provide modernized residential rooms and ample amounts of collaborative study space, but it also offers elevated security with this being a separated ... ICC formally reopens Monroe, Sheffield Halls during July 30 ceremonies Itawamba Community College formally reopened both Monroe and Sheffield Halls during two ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the Fulton Campus today (July 30). In two weeks, residents will move into Monroe’s now single-occupancy rooms and benefit from the first of a two-phase renovation of Sheffield Hall. “This morning, we are standing in front of one of our oldest residential facilities, Monroe Hall,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “This building, which consisted of our smallest rooms, housed two students per room. With the complete renovation of this hall, we are now able to offer single occupancy rooms with a shared bathroom for every two rooms. Each floor is customizable to house separated males and females under the same roof, just like Magnolia Hall.” The $2.2 million renovation of Monroe Hall, which first opened in 1968, was designed with students’ needs and aspirations in mind, Allen said. “The upgraded facilities provide modern amenities, increased comfort and spaces that foster community and collaboration. From the improved common areas and enhanced living quarters, every aspect of this residence hall has been planned to enrich ... ICC formally opens newly-renovated Student Activities Center at the Fulton Campus Itawamba Community College reopened its Student Activities Center with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony, Aug. 14, at the Fulton Campus. “It is with great pride and excitement that we gather to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Student Activities Center,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “Just as with our recent residence hall ribbon cuttings at Monroe and Sheffield Halls, this is not just a physical transformation but a renewal of our commitment to providing a vibrant and supportive campus environment for our students.” ICC’s approximately 13,000-square-foot Student Activities Center, which opened in 1961 and the oldest building on the Fulton Campus, has had numerous facelifts over the years, but this renovation touched every aspect of the building, including a completely redesigned interior to maximize open space for seating and the addition of a new covered space on the back to provide students a place to dine in the event of inclement weather. Allen said that the new space will be called “The Yard.” The outdoor furniture will arrive soon and be installed with outdoor TVs. “Our ... Comments are closed.