Donors and friends joined members of the university community Saturday, Sept. 20 for the dedication of Irwin Belk Track, Alan and Norma White Field and "Phoenix Rising," a bronze sculpture at the entrance of the north athletics complex. Details...
Festivities began at Irwin Belk Track and Alan and Norma White Field, located adjacent to Rhodes Stadium. The track, which hosted its first meet in March, is named in honor of Charlotte, N.C., businessman and philanthropist Irwin Belk. The field is named in honor of Elon Athletics Director Alan White and his wife, Norma. The Whites’ friends, Jerry and Jeanne Robertson of Burlington, N.C., provided a major gift to name the field.
Elon president Leo M. Lambert thanked Belk and the Robertsons for their gift which made the complex a reality. “We are grateful for the gifts that made these facilities possible.”
Kim Adams and Jessica Burgeson, members of the women’s track and field team, thanked the donors for giving the team “a place we can call home.”
Dedication ceremonies then moved to “Phoenix Rising,” a 19-foot bronze sculpture depicting the legendary Phoenix rising from flames which engulf a globe-shaped egg. The sculpture was mounted Aug. 1 on a brick pedestal at the intersection of Bank of America Drive and Phoenix Drive. Cornelius, N.C., artist Jon Hair created the statue, made possible by funding provided by Irwin Belk.
SGA president Mark Gustafson told Belk his philanthropy is important to Elon and that “Phoenix Rising” provides a sense of pride to students.
Belk introduced Hair, telling the audience that Hair has been commissioned to design the largest sculptures in Virginia, Indiana and Colorado. “It gives me great pleasure to be able to bring this majestic Phoenix to Elon!” Belk exclaimed.
Hair urged the audience to “consider ‘Phoenix Rising’ on a personal level. Like the Phoenix…you can rise above the flames and ashes of personal trials and hardship.”
Donors to both projects and special guests were also recognized during pregame ceremonies on the 50-yard line at McKinnon Field/Rhodes Stadium.