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Inaugural Scots Spectacular a success for Lyon College

fredwann_wife-lindawann_scotsspectacular

Lyon College celebrated its first-ever Scots Spectacular, generating thousands in financial support of Lyon Athletics, while also honoring former Coach Fred Wann in front of a crowd gathered at Becknell Gym for the inaugural event.

Held Saturday, July 27, Scots Spectacular included a dinner and open bar, live music from Lockhouse Orchestra, as well as silent and live auctions.

The program included naming Wann, ’59, the recipient of the college’s first-ever Champion Award. The event grossed more than $66,000 in support of Lyon Athletics by the end of the evening, according to Vice President of Advancement David Hutchison.

Today nearly half of Lyon College students participate in one of 18 collegiate sports programs, stemming from just four that existed in 1965 when Wann first arrived on campus. The fundraiser will assist in Lyon’s effort to improve athletic facilities and create new spaces for student-athletes to succeed, Hutchison said.

In a surprise announcement Saturday evening, President W. Joseph King and Director of Athletics Kevin Jenkins also joined Hutchison on stage to share that Scots Field would be renamed Fred Wann Field.

“Thank you, Fred, for your exceptional dedication and unsurpassed advocacy, not only for our sports programs, but for our entire college,” Hutchison said.

Wann’s service to Lyon spanned more than six decades and includes the distinction of being the Lyon Intramural Athletics Program founding director. He also coached the baseball and tennis teams and was an associate professor of physical education.

He was inducted into the Lyon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named Professor Emeritus of Physical Education. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Service Award.

Wife Linda (Langley) Wann, class of ’61, and their extended family joined in the evening’s festivities. A second Scots Spectacular is already in the works and will be held Saturday, July 25, 2020.

Featured image of Fred Linda and Fred Wann courtesy of Kris Caraway

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