Rush Family pleased College turf field benefiting local diamond sports
McHenry, MD – It didn’t take long for the Rush Family to determine the appropriate Garrett College Athletics Capital Campaign naming opportunity for Rush Services.
“Over the past 25 years, my brother [Jason Rush] and I have coached our children on both the old softball and baseball fields used by Garrett College,” noted Josh Rush after Rush Services reserved the baseball/softball scoreboard naming at the College’s multi-purpose turf field. “I’ve also recently coached my youngest daughter on the new turf field, which is an exceptional addition to Garrett County.
“There’s no other place in Garrett County that you can have rain all day long and once it stops at 5 o’clock, be able to play a game at 5:15,” added Josh Rush. “And we can’t wait to coach our grandchildren on the new turf field as well. Developing the turf field ensured local baseball and softball players would have equal access to outstanding facilities. We’re very happy to support that initiative with this gift.”
Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president, lauded the community spirit behind Rush Services’ campaign gift.
“Rush Services has a history of supporting initiatives that enhance the local community,” said Midcap. “They’ve been extremely supportive of the College, with gifts to all three of the College’s capital campaigns. I applaud the positive role they play in our community. ”
“We appreciate the continued generosity of Rush Services and their support for the College and its students,” said Cherie Krug, executive director of the Garrett College Foundation. “Their gifts demonstrate their deep commitment to the College and our greater community.”
The Garrett College Athletics Capital Campaign now has gifts and pledges totaling just over $650,000 with 19 of the 21 namings reserved. Campaign proceeds will help defray costs for the multi-million-dollar expansion of Garrett College’s intercollegiate athletics facilities.
The College is repurposing the 700 Building – which housed the old auditorium and the spaces where the Business Office and art program resided – to provide the needed athletic facilities. The project has also relocated GC’s art program to a renovated space in the 600 Building.
GC has more than doubled its student athlete headcount over the last five years while expanding the number of intercollegiate athletic teams from four to eight. Jason Rush, chair of the Garrett College Board of Trustees, said the intercollegiate athletics expansion is benefiting the College in numerous ways.
“Most of our athletes are out-of-county and out-of-state students who pay premium tuition rates and provide residence hall income, which helps the College provide a wide range of programs and services for Garrett County students,” said Rush. “Just as important, athletes from other areas of the state, other regions of the country, and other places around the world help the College create a richer, more vibrant campus environment for all of our students.”
Rush Services, located in McHenry, is a family-owned and operated business that includes a full line of plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration product installation, service, and support. Rush Services recently acquired Caretake Septic Services and has now added septic services to their offerings.
