Morristown Utilities Grant to Light Baseball, Softball Fields

July 25, 2024

Morristown Utilities Grant
From left: Chris Cates, assistant vice president for college advancement at Walters State; Clark Rucker, assistant general manager at Morristown Utilities; Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State; Jody Wigington, Morristown Utilities general manager; David Wild, board commissioner; Rod Issacs, board secretary; and Bryan Dickerson, board commissioner.

Morristown Utilities Grant Will Light Baseball, Softball Fields

Morristown Utilities has awarded a $150,000 grant to Walters State Community College to light the college’s baseball and softball fields on the Morristown Campus. This lighting will enable the college to host state and regional tournaments, bringing a significant economic impact on the area.

“Morristown Utilities is a great community partner, and this grant will complete a dream for the college,” said Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State. “The Senators and Lady Senators have never been able to play a night game at home. For our student athletes and fans, this will lengthen available play and practice times and create a completely new experience.”

“Because of the number of teams involved, lighting is required to host state and regional tournaments. With this lighting, we will be hosting the state tournament every four years. This will give players the home advantage and bring fans from across the state to Morristown for a week of great baseball and softball,” Miksa also said. 

The Lady Senators and the Senators compete for national titles and often end the season in the top ten among community and junior colleges in the country. 

The funds come from Morristown Utilities’ Round Up program. This program allows customers to have their bill rounded up to the next dollar with money allocated to special fund only used for economic development, community assistance and charitable purposes.  

“We commend our customers for enabling this investment. Their voluntary contributions help achieve a vision to improve our community and is consistent with the goals of the Round Up program,” said Jody Wigington, general manager of Morristown Utilities.

Lighting should be installed in the fall, allowing night play with the spring season.