CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Maynard family was honored Friday for their charitable donations to Austin Peay State University as stakeholders gathered for a big announcement. Because of millions of dollars in donations to the university, the Joe and Cathi Maynard Family Field was named at Fortera Stadium.
According to Kris Phillips, Vice President for Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy and Executive Director of the APSU Foundation, the Maynards have donated approximately $20 million. This includes making the largest donation in athletics history at $15 million.
“This is a huge, transformative moment for our athletics department,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison. “Simply because we can do the things we need to, so we can move up to the next level. The donation allowed us to change our facilities, nutrition room and this football field. There are so many different projects that we always wanted to do to enhance the experience of our student athletes but couldn’t. So, a gift of this size allows us to do it and do it in a hurry.”
Joe Maynard explained that today’s naming ceremony was a family moment. He went on to say that the event not only symbolized the legacy of the Maynard family but the legacy of the community as well.
Maynard admitted that at the beginning of their partnership with the university, they had hoped to get involved but never imagined something of this magnitude. He mentioned that God blessed them, and they knew they had to make a bigger impact.