googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1599240294477-0'); });
Nelson Family and Rotary Corp support Paulson Stadium

Share On Social

Nelson Family and Rotary Corp Support Paulson Stadium

The family of the late Bill W. Nelson and Rotary Corporation, the company he built into an internationally-recognized leader in the outdoor power equipment industry, have made a major gift to the Georgia Southern University Athletic Foundation. The announcement was made Thursday by University President Dr. Brooks A. Keel. Ph.D. and Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein.

The generosity of the Nelson Family will fund the Hall of Fame in the new Ted Smith Family Football Center, which is located inside Paulson Stadium. It will be named the Bill W. Nelson Hall of Fame and will serve as a permanent recognition of inductees with highlights including the rich history of Eagle football.

In addition, Rotary Corporation has funded the “Field of Dreams” between the stadium’s east end zone and the football center. The field, which provides a game day experience for children 12 and under, was the brainchild of Kleinlein and Frank Hook, director of donor relations for Georgia Southern’s Athletic Foundation. The field measures 48’ wide X 144’ long and features artificial turf.

Since Paulson Stadium opened in 1984, kids have enjoyed sliding down the hills and playing football in the end zone. With stadium expansion and upgrades earlier this year, athletic department officials were determined to maintain certain traditions like this for future Eagles.

Bill Nelson passed away in 1999 but his philanthropic contributions and deep sense of community continue to be felt by people in southeast Georgia. He was a longtime supporter of education and built a strong relationship with Georgia Southern University. When Coach Erk Russell landed in Statesboro in 1981, Nelson was one of the first to step forward with a commitment to the Eagle program. On more than one occasion, Erk was known to say, “We need more people like Bill Nelson.”

Nelson purchased a small lawn mower repair shop from his uncle in 1957 and built Rotary Corporation, recognized today as the world’s largest supplier of outdoor power equipment parts. Based in Glennville, Rotary operates eight distribution centers in the U.S. and serves customers in all 50 states and 68 countries worldwide. Nelson’s son, Ed, currently serves as president and CEO of Rotary.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1599239852235-0'); });

Latest News

North Dakota Enacts Dealer Legislation

Dealers in North Dakota are benefiting from dealership franchise legislation passed in March that goes into effect August 1 and strengthens existing legislation while adding new protections. The bill was strongly supported by the North…

Weingartz, Ball Form E-Commerce Venture

Executives with Weingartz Supply Co. and Ball Equipment recently announced a joint venture agreement that consolidates Ball’s and Weingartz’s e-commerce marketing and fulfillment operations and relocates them to a newly purchased 45,000 sq. ft. warehouse…

Case Construction Equip. Produces 300,000th Skid Steer

Case Construction Equip. announced the production of its 300,000th Case skid steer/compact track loader. The commemorative edition TR270 compact track loader rolled off the production line in Wichita, Kansas. It will ship to Southeastern Equipment…

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1508263076017-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1508263123532-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1508263182735-0'); });
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1508263219563-0'); });