When it comes to leaving a mark, Debbie and Andy Prefontaine have certainly done just that. On March 21, the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation (OMAF) celebrated their $750,000 donation by naming the track and field stadium in their honor. For the Prefontaine, this isn’t just about a financial contribution—it’s a way to support Ole Miss athletics, fund scholarships, and honor a family legacy. As Andy shared, “Our gift allows us to continue to pay it forward in the form of athletic scholarships.”
While the Prefontaines’ connection to Ole Miss started when their son, Kevin, attended in the mid-90s, this donation carries a deeper meaning. The couple had initially considered naming the Rebel basketball arena, but when Quinn Kavanagh, assistant athletic director of development, presented the opportunity to name the track stadium, it felt like the perfect fit.
Their love for running and Andy’s connection to his late cousin, Olympic runner Steve “Pre” Prefontaine, made the track the ideal place for this legacy. “This opportunity aligns with our passion for the sport,” said Andy. A key part of their donation is honoring Steve Prefontaine, who remains an icon in the running world.
During the ceremony, Andy encouraged student-athletes to channel Pre’s drive and determination, quoting his famous words: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” Andy emphasized, “Pre had the heart of a lion and the will of a raging bull!” By naming the stadium in honor of Pre, the Prefontaine hopes that every track and field athlete who steps onto the track will find inspiration in his spirit and perseverance.
With their naming honor, the Prefontaines also established the Andy and Deborah Prefontaine Scholarship Endowment to provide financial support for students. According to Andy the money “a few thousand dollars” creates the difference between college admission or rejection for a student.
Through his own experience of growing up in a low-income environment, he recognizes the value of financial support thus Prefontaine assists Ole Miss students by giving money to chase their educational goals. But this isn’t the first time when stadiums are named after legends!
Track and field world pays tribute to legends
We’ve got the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium! It serves as both an athletic facility and a commemorative honor to the legendary track and field star Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium received its name in 2001 after the runner who brought the world four Berlin Olympic gold medals through his performance in 100m and 200m races together with his long jump accomplishments and 4×100-meter relay participation.
Ohio State University preserves this stadium to honor his remarkable athletic legacy. Student athletes at OSU compete on a track named in his honor which stimulates their pursuit of Olympic potential through his historic achievements.
Then, there’s the facility named Dan Beacom Track Complex at Dakota State University to honor dedicated athlete Dan Beacom who passed in 2023. The track and field athlete gave everything he had to compete which prompted the creation of Beacom Track Complex to maintain his memory for future generations.
The naming of the track complex after Dan Dakota State establishes his athletic dedication as an enduring memory that will inspire student-athletes to always give their maximum effort.
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