Major Gift Comes to SFSC Athletics and Benefits Students

Because of a generous donor, SFSC’s current softball facilities will don a new name and receive much anticipated upgrades, while students will benefit from a scholarship geared to fast-pitch softball players.

On Monday, April 24, a check in the amount of $365,234 was presented to Jamie Bateman, SFSC vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs; Dr. Thomas C. Leitzel, SFSC president; and Rick Hitt, SFSC athletic director and head baseball coach. The gift was made available through the estate of Larry Ross Johnson, and the SFSC softball facilities will be named in his honor.

With the funds from the Johnson gift, the College will create a professionally designed, state-of-the-art softball facility. Plans include a new scoreboard, landscaping, updated seating, extension of dugouts and bench seating, a television for video analysis, and more.

“We are extremely grateful and honored to receive these funds in the name of the late Larry Johnson,” said Hitt. “Larry was an enthusiastic softball player, pitcher, and fan. He provided guidance and knowledge to players over the years in an effort to help them improve, as a coach as well.

“These funds will go to support major additions to the SFSC softball facility for future players, coaches, and fans of Panther Softball to enjoy. We, again, are truly blessed to receive this wonderful gift and thank all of those who assisted in helping this happen.”

In addition to the softball facility upgrades, the Ross, Lorene, and Larry Johnson Endowed Scholarship was established through the SFSC Foundation. According to the scholarship agreement, it was created “as a lasting tribute to the ladies of the past, present, and future Sebring High School fast-pitch softball teams.” Scholarships will be awarded from the endowment as soon as fall 2023.

Applicants for the scholarship must be an Associate in Arts or Associate of Science degree-seeking student enrolled or to be enrolled at least half-time at SFSC, a young woman who attended and played fast-pitch softball for a high school within SFSC’s service district of Highlands, DeSoto, and Hardee counties, and carry a B or better grade point average on all high school or college work. Preference for the scholarship will be given to applicants with demonstrated financial need. The recipient of the scholarship may be asked to address members of the Sebring Girls Fast-pitch Softball Team about their College program.

Johnson, who had been a fast-pitch softball coach in Highlands County for many years, died in October 2021. In the early 2000s, he was the assistant girls softball coach at Sebring High School. Together, with Lee Tolar, the team’s head coach, Johnson began a summer travel team of high school softball players from across the county. Johnson was a member of the California Toe Jam Band and performed Elvis Presley impersonations. According to his ex-wife Connie Foster, “He started up the Highlands County Tennis Association and ran the Florida Cracker Trail Ride for two years.”

“Larry helped anyone who wanted to learn how to fast-pitch,” Tolar said. “He was a consummate softball coach. This gift to SFSC is just a testament to how much he loved the players and the sport of fast-pitch softball. Years ago, he thought there should be a scholarship system for female softball players, but there just wasn’t. Now there is one and because of his generosity. Larry’s dream would be to see a lot of young women get something out of this and to make improvements to the softball field. Coach Carlos Falla has done an awesome job here at SFSC. Now he has more money to accomplish that.”

SFSC’s softball program began in 2004 with the hiring of Head Softball Coach Falla and the construction of the SFSC Panther softball facility on the College’s Highlands Campus in Avon Park. The Lady Panthers softball team played in competition for the first time in 2005. In the last 18 years, the softball field has been home to summer and fall softball youth camps and clinics, as well as being available for occasional intramural activities and special events.

To apply for scholarships made available through the SFSC Foundation, visit AwardSpring at: southflorida.awardspring.com. For more information about the SFSC Foundation or to make a donation, call 453-3133 or email foundation@southflorida.edu.