1960-64 MC football alumni donate 14k to weightroom renovations
Members of the 1960-64 Maryville College football teams visited the college this past Saturday in celebration of their 50-year reunion. They were honored at halftime of MC’s 42-28 victory over N.C. Wesleyan.
After being contacted by the MC athletic department about the upcoming weight room renovations scheduled for this winter, the classes raised over $14,000 to donate toward the $110,000 project. According to athletic director Kandis Schram, this puts them just $40,000 short of the total cost, with hopes to close that gap soon. The project will reportedly involve a complete overhaul of the entire facility, from flooring to equipment.
“We want to maximize space, efficiency, and invest in as many of our student athletes as possible… We believe every sport as well as the campus as a whole uses this space, and we want it to be cutting edge.”
From 1960-64, the Maryville College football program posted an impressive 25-8 record. Many whom played for MC during those years have gone on to have much success in their careers, including John Forgety, who has been a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2011. Forgety was a captain for the Scots in the 1967-68 season.
“The experience at Maryville College and the experience playing football here was probably the reason that everyone in this room is a success,” Forgety said. “I attribute it to the experience at Maryville College, playing football, and the fellowship and camaraderie that comes with being a part of a small school.”
Forgety also donated a cast of the Tennessee State Seal to the college.
Don Story, who’s autographed football can be seen in the trophy case located in the front of Cooper Athletic Center, played center for the Scots from 1963-67. He noted that the program has changed tremendously since his time at MC, noting that the linemen are much bigger today than he was when he played, and their roster only consisted of about 45 players in comparison to MC’s roster of over 130 players.
Several other alumni noted that MC didn’t have much of a weightroom at all during their years. Nonetheless, their $14,000 donation will prove extremely beneficial to the MC athletic department, student-athletes and all members of the MC community that will use the upgraded facility.