Randolph-Macon College celebrated the official dedication of its new softball facility, Carol Estes Park, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, April 13. The renovated stadium features a new entryway, a press box, and upgraded seating for a capacity of over 500 fans.

“I feel it is an honor to support the women’s sports program here at RMC. This school strives to put women’s athletics at the top of their priority list,” Carol Estes-Williams, the stadium’s namesake, remarked. “I hope Carol Estes Park brings joy to softball teams and RMC fans for decades to come.” 

Estes-Williams earned her B.S. in Health and Physical Education at Ursinus College, after which she served as a physical education teacher at Collegiate School in Richmond, Va. She was a standout multi-sport athlete at both George Wythe High School and in college, including a conference doubles title in tennis at Ursinus, and became an avid slow-pitch softball player after graduation. She is the mother of Alise Witt ’14 and Jonathan Witt ’15 and was awarded an Honorary Degree in Humanities from Randolph-Macon in 2018. 

Estes-Williams continued the Estes family tradition of generosity at Randolph-Macon. Her uncle, Ed Estes, served on RMC’s Board of Trustees. His generosity, along with that of other family members and Estes Express Lines, made possible Estes Dining Hall and Estes Aquatics Center. In 2011, Estes-Williams supported construction of the Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park—a gift that transformed the RMC Baseball program. 

R. Earl Johnson ’66, Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Trustees, delivered opening remarks to the crowd gathered for the ceremony, highlighting the growth of RMC’s campus. “For those of you who are new to the Randolph-Macon community, take it from someone who has been here since 1962: the transformation of the College over the past decade has exceeded all those previous years combined.” 

With her children and other family members beside her, Estes-Williams paid tribute to the members of the Estes family who built the family business and laid the groundwork for a legacy of philanthropy. She also gave a charge to the RMC Softball student-athletes, to always give maximum effort in practice and competition, to treat their coaches and each other with respect, and to leave the new facility better than they found it.

“Grateful and loyal alumni and friends and parents—fantastic supporters, all—make these new and renovated facilities possible,” RMC President Robert R. Lindgren said. “So, thank you, to all of you who had a hand in making today’s celebration possible. And Carol, you have led the way, your generous example shining just so bright.” 

RMC Softball has had a remarkable run of success in the last decade under head coach Kevin Proffitt ’86. The Yellow Jackets have won two Old Dominion Athletic Conference championships, appeared in six NCAA Tournaments, played in back-to-back NCAA Super Regionals the past two seasons, and participated in the 2019 Division III Softball National Championship Series.