Lynchburg, Va. -- Legendary University of Lynchburg head field hockey and women's lacrosse coach Enza Steele is being honored in an exciting new project announced at the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Friday, Oct. 20.
At the ceremony, director of athletics Jon Waters revealed the Enza Steele Champions Walk, a proposed path from the Hornet statue outside of Turner Gymnasium to the Garren Victory Bell dedicated to Coach Steele.
The overall fundraising goal is $150,000. Gifts to the Enza Steele Champions Walk, which includes two arches and a donor board, also will support the field hockey and women's lacrosse programs. Donors can choose their preferred program.
"We're incredibly excited to be dedicating a piece of Lynchburg history to a true Lynchburg legend," said Vice President for Advancement Dr. Mike Bonnette. "No one embodies the championship spirit of Lynchburg athletics quite like Enza, and we want to honor her enduring legacy."
At Coach Steele's retirement dinner on Saturday, Melinda "Mindy" McCord '93 challenged the audience to make $1,000 donations in honor of Coach Steele. McCord and her husband, Paul, will match gifts of any size up to $50,000 for the Enza Steele Champions Walk. Donors who give $500 or more will be included on the donor board at the beginning of the walk.
"I am beyond thrilled to have such an amazing concept developed and named in my honor," Coach Steele said. "Mindy Manolovich McCord's gracious donation is extremely impactful in this dedication. Mindy was a special athlete at Lynchburg College."
To contribute to the Enza Steele Champions Walk, visit lynchburgsports.com/championswalk.
Along the Champions Walk path, there will be commemorative plaques enshrining historic moments from Lynchburg's athletic history overlooking Shellenberger Field. Every Lynchburg team from any year will have the opportunity to celebrate its moment in history by funding a $15,000 plaque. Proceeds from the gifts for team plaques will benefit the program of the donor's choosing.
Steele won over 900 games as the Lynchburg head field hockey and women's lacrosse coach. Her 666 field hockey victories make her the all-time leader in Division III. She was inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2020 and into the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
Steele also lifted the ODAC trophy a record 27 times. With 22 field hockey championships and five women's lacrosse championships, she's the winningest coach in ODAC history.
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