The Morgan Wallen Foundation Celebrates Ruritan Park Renovation

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Pictured (L-R): MWF executive director Kathleen Flaherty, UT baseball coach Tony Vitello, MWF Program Director Lesli Wallen and Gibbs Youth Sports President Nate Stachey. Photo: David Lehr

The Morgan Wallen Foundation, University of Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello, and the UT baseball team gathered on Sept. 28 at Gibbs High School’s Ruritan Park in Corryton, TN to host 300 kids for a baseball camp and celebrate recent upgrades made to the fields.

MWF’s Leslie Wallen and Kathleen Flaherty. Photo: David Lehr

The improvements were made thanks to last year’s $140k donation following Wallen’s historic shows at Neyland Stadium. The two fields were dedicated in name to honor both of Wallen’s parents, “Lesli Wilder Field” (a nod to her maiden name), and “Tommy Wayne Field.” Following the camp, MWF surprised Nate Stachey, President of Gibbs Youth Sports, with an additional $50k donation.

“The Morgan Wallen Foundation has refurbished several baseball fields over the years, but working with Gibbs Youth Sports at Ruritan Park is extra special because it’s the Wallen family’s hometown. It’s a full circle moment and a blessing that we can help out,” shares Kathleen Flaherty, Executive Director, MWF. “We can’t thank The UT Vols baseball team and especially Coach Tony Vitello enough for participating on Sunday. The kids went wild over them and the line for photos and autographs was endless. Tony is a great friend to MWF. He and the team show up when we are in need and we deeply appreciate it.”

“I am honored and humbled that Morgan has named these two fields after my husband and me, and I’m so proud of my son’s dedication to improving the community that helped shape him,” says Lesli Wallen.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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