The small however decided establishment on the north facet of Jacksonville is making main strides. Beneath the visionary management of College President and CEO Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr., Edward Waters College (EWU) has remodeled practically each facility its soccer student-athletes use. Reinforcing the dedication to athletic and tutorial excellence on the HBCU.
New Facility
In 2021, EWU made historical past by unveiling its first-ever on-campus soccer facility — the Nathaniel Glover Group Subject & Stadium. Now the official residence of the Tigers, the venue encompasses a trendy press field and an govt skybox with a Presidential Suite, providing Dr. Faison a powerful setting to host HBCU supporters and potential donors.
The momentum continued into 2023 and 2024 with changing a former house right into a state-of-the-art weight room and sports activities drugs complicated. Branded from ground to ceiling with Tiger colours and logos, the ability rivals these at many FCS packages. The sports activities drugs space even features a turf area to help in participant restoration and rehabilitation.
The ultimate part of the athletic facility upgrades was unveiling a newly renovated locker room. Drenched in a vibrant purple and orange colour scheme and adorned with the official Tiger brand, the house made a right away impression on gamers, college, trustees, and supporters alike, who bought their first look throughout a current ribbon-cutting ceremony.
With these upgrades come heightened expectations — and Dr. Faison has made it clear that excellence will not be non-compulsory. Addressing the brand new interim head soccer coach, Brian Jenkins, Faison laid out his imaginative and prescient confidently and clearly.
“Coach Jenkins, you’re a confirmed chief and a builder of champions,” Faison acknowledged. “You’ve received on the highest ranges, and we now have little doubt you have been introduced right here for such a time as this. You’re inheriting a program with unprecedented institutional funding, student-athletes of immense promise, and a neighborhood prepared to face behind you. However with that assist comes expectation. So let me say this very plainly: this can be a no-excuses season.”
Ribbon Reducing
That message resonated with the standing-room-only crowd who attended the ribbon-cutting. Attendees included EWU Trustee Rev. R.B. Holmes, Provost and Senior Vice President for Tutorial Affairs Dr. Genyne Boston, and several other different trustees and school members, all current to indicate their assist.
EWU Deputy Athletic Director Ashley Connor, a rising star just lately chosen to take part within the NCAA’s prestigious Charles Whitcomb Management Institute, presided over the occasion. This program develops future leaders in faculty athletics administration.
Coach Jenkins, who has a robust document of HBCU success, expressed enthusiasm for the college’s development and future.
“Once I first got here to Edward Waters years in the past, I heard in regards to the imaginative and prescient of the soccer area — and I noticed it come to life,” mentioned Jenkins. “Now, I’m seeing the imaginative and prescient of the brand new weight room, the basketball courts, and now this unbelievable locker room. One factor I can let you know: the model of Edward Waters College is actual. Like I’ve mentioned earlier than, right here we go once more — we’re doing it once more. Please perceive — Edward Waters is on the rise.”
