Mercer Baseball Camps Receive Scholarships

MACON, Ga. – Mercer baseball coach Craig Gibson has been awarded funding from the Josephine Phelps Fabian Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia to help provide scholarships for 50 at-need youth from Middle Georgia to attend his 2021 summer baseball camps.

"This is a wonderful opportunity, and I am deeply thankful for the Fabian Scholarships will provide and the scholarship," remarked Gibson. "I am honored to help the children of Middle Georgia. I would like to thank Dr. David Keith and the School of Music for being instrumental in this gift. We are excited for this opportunity and can't wait for campers to be on campus in June."

Baseball leaders across the country have made a significant effort over the past several years to develop initiatives to grow the game of baseball and provide opportunities for minorities and youth from lower socio-economic areas to receive exposure to the game. The Fabian Foundation Scholarship will provide a chance for youth from Middle Georgia to learn about baseball from positive role models on the Mercer baseball team in a safe and fun environment.

"This is a great opportunity for Mercer to assist youth and teach them the game of baseball," Director of Athletics Jim Cole said. "This has been a national discussion over the last few years for baseball leaders, and I am thrilled we can be part of the initiative to help the at-need youth and continue growing the game."

A lover of the arts and avid sports fan, Jo Phelps Fabian, the namesake of the foundation, was one of Mercer baseball's biggest fans. Fabian has contributed numerous gifts to the University. Not only did she endow the Fabian Concert Series, the G. Leslie Fabian Chair in Music and the John E. James Lecture Series in Mercer's School of Law, but she made a significant contribution to establish the Jo Phelps Fabian Center for Musical Excellence within Mercer's Townsend School of Music.

She loved Mercer baseball, and no conversation with her was ever complete without discussion surrounding the Bears baseball program. Fabian knew that athletics, in particular baseball, could provide opportunities for growth, teamwork and mentorship, and therefore the Fabian Scholarship was created.

"Jo Phelps Fabian was one of the most gifted, knowledgeable, inquisitive, and complex people that I have ever known," said Keith. "It is very exciting when the arts and sports intersect. The Mercer baseball program continues to be a leader and make positive contributions in the Mercer community. Providing opportunities for children to experience the privilege of being involved in athletics and supported by someone who loved music would speak to the core of Jo Fabian."

Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Baseball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBaseball (Twitter), /MercerBaseball (Facebook) and @Mercer.Baseball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors

Footer