Informally called University Field, the turf football field at the University of West Florida has a new name.
UWF Vice President Brendan Kelly made the announcement at the Argo Club on campus, that with a commitment of one million dollars by Pen Air Federal Credit Union, the field will be named Pen Air Field.
“The field will serve as an emblem of the full scope of that partnership,” said Kelly. “One that has the best interests of the community and this university at its core.”
Stu Ramsay, Pen Air’s President and CEO, told the gathering that the gift is part of their 80th anniversary celebration. Pen Air was started in 1936 by a group of civil service employees at NAS Pensacola.
“The first two words in Pen Air’s mission statement is ‘Enhancing Lives,’” said Ramsey. “And although that may not be in the University of Florida’s mission statement, I think we can all agree that their job is enhancing the lives of their students, who then go out and enhance our community.”
“Partnership is the key to universities like this, and to people like us,” said UWF President Judy Bense. “Your gift will provide support for the university, and allow UWF Football to grow and prosper.”
This gift, says UWF Athletics Director Dave Scott, sends a message to the community and Argonaut student-athletes, as to the importance of the university to this area – and beyond.
“One of the neat things for me going down to [UWF’s first football game at] Ave Maria, was to see our alums,” said Scott. “They were all very excited and energized about the university, and probably hadn’t had contact in a long time.”
For Head Football Coach Pete Shinnick, the name change could also find its way into the Argo’s game plan each week.
“As a guy who likes to throw the ball, and an offense that likes to air it out, you’ve had the ‘Air Raid’ offense,” said Shinnick. “We can talk about this donation continuing the ‘Pen Air Raid’ offense.”
The one million from Pen Air is the latest chapter in the relationship between the Pensacola-based credit union and the university. Other partnerships include the UWF Alumni Association; the College of Business, the athletic program, and the annual Financial Literacy Boot Camp. Pen Air also provides the official UWF credit card for alumni and friends.
