Sept. 4, 2007

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Director of Athletic Development, George Olney, announced the establishment of the Martin-Parrish Family Scholarship on Wednesday afternoon at the Office of the President.

Caric Martin, Senior Vice-President of Georgian Bank, and his wife Grace Martin made the $100,000 gift to the men's basketball program of Kennesaw State in a private ceremony in Dr. Papp's Board Room in Kennesaw Hall.

Martin's son, daughter-in-law, grandson and one of his two daughters attended the historic signing along with men's basketball head coach Tony Ingle, Vice President of Development Wes Wicker and KSU Athletic Director Dr. Dave Waples.

Martin has been one of the longest and most active men's basketball supporters, having attended Kennesaw State games with his father, Charles, a former economics professor at KSU, since the inception of the Owls program in 1986.

"Some of my fondest memories are with my father attending Kennesaw State basketball games," said Martin. "Now I share new memories with my son and both son-in-laws. I hope this can help the men's team."

The gift is the largest athletic scholarship endowment in school history. The fund will sponsor scholarships for men's basketball beginning with the 2008-09 season and continuing forward.

"What you are doing for Kennesaw State basketball is absolutely tremendous," said Dr. Papp as he sat next to Caric Martin at the signing.

"This is a special day for our program," said Ingle on the historic signing of the first endowed scholarship for men's basketball. "I told Caric and Grace that it is hard for me not to get emotional. I don't believe the Martin family will ever know how grateful I am and how much this means to me on a personal level and to our university."

The endowment is the fourth endowed scholarship for Kennesaw State student-athletes and will be awarded to the junior or senior who returns with the highest grade-point average.

"The Martin family will be remembered for years to come for this kind of gesture," said Waples. "It is going to pay dividends as our basketball team moves forward."

"We cherish the investment made by the Martins," added Ingle. "I am happy that people have seen the worth of our program and Kennesaw State and we will make sure to always honor and be appreciative of this generous gift."

The Owls also have endowment scholarships for softball with the Bobby Bailey Scholarship, The Roger Hopkins Scholarship for baseball and the Thomas Burnett Track and Field Scholarship.