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6 NOVEMBER 2014 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com EPG Media/Specialty Information Media 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200 Plymouth, MN 55447 OPE Staff Group Publisher David Voll Associate Publisher John Kmitta Editor Steve Noe Art Director Brian Snook Senior Production Manager Karen Kalinyak DirEct Mail liSt SalES MeritDirect, Jim Scova, (914) 368-1012; e-mail jscova@MeritDirect.com rEPrint SErvicE Joanne Juda, Sr. VP Market Development (630) 399-9864; email jjuda@specialtyim.com EDitOrial aDviSOry BOarD Former Executive Director, EETC (retired) Jim Roche Senior Advisor, Servantage Dixie Sales Jim Starmer Pres., Plano Power Equipment and Whipper Clipper Glen Whitt Director of Sales and Marketing, Central Power Distributors, Inc. John D. Hedges circulatiOn For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (847) 763-9565 or fax (847) 763-9569 business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Outdoor Power Equipment. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commer- cial product does not imply endorsement by Outdoor Power Equipment or Specialty Information Media, or preference over similar products not mentioned. EDitOrial OfficES EPG Media/Specialty Information Media 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200 Plymouth, MN 55447 accOunt rEPrESEntativES: EaSt Chris Pelikan Senior Account Manager Phone: (954) 964-8676 cpelikan@epgmediallc.com MiDWESt Peggy Tupper Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4429 ptupper@epgmediallc.com WESt Leslie Palmer Senior Account Manager Phone: (248) 731-7596 lpalmer@specialtyim.com Bill Nelson, who purchased a small lawn mower repair shop from his uncle in 1957 and built Rotary Corporation in Glennville, Ga., was a longtime supporter of education and built a strong relationship with Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. When Erk Russell became coach of the school's football team in 1981, Nelson was one of the first to step forward with a commitment to the Eagle program. Erk was known on more than one occasion to say, "We need more people like Bill Nelson." Well, following in the footsteps of his father, who passed away in 1999, Ed Nelson, who cur- rently serves as president and CEO of Rotary Corporation, is certainly one of those people. The Nelson family and Rotary Corporation recently made a significant contribution to Georgia Southern's Athletic Foundation, agreeing to fund both the Hall of Fame in the new Ted Smith Family Football Center, which is located inside Paulson Stadium, and the "Field of Dreams" between the stadium's east end zone and the football center. The Hall of Fame will be named the Bill W. Nelson Hall of Fame and serve as a permanent recognition of inductees with highlights, includ- ing the rich history of Eagles football. The "Field of Dreams," which provides a game-day experi- ence for children 12 and under, measures 48-feet wide by 144-feet long and features artificial turf. "The Nelson family and Rotary Corporation have 'Joined the Journey' in a major way," said Georgia Southern University President Dr. Brooks A. Keel. Ph.D. "On behalf of the entire Eagle Nation, we express our sincere apprecia- tion for their incredible support of our football program." Tom Kleinlein, director of athletics at Georgia Southern, added, "The Nelson Family as well as Rotary Corporation have made a signifi- cant impact on the future of Georgia Southern Athletics through their generous gift. The Bill W. Nelson Hall of Fame will enable us to show- case Eagle football with a permanent tribute for our distinguished inductees. With the Field of Dreams, future generations of Eagles can play a pickup game while watching our Eagles and dreaming about one day becoming an Eagle themselves!" Since Paulson Stadium opened in 1984, kids have enjoyed sliding down the hills and playing football in the end zone. With stadium expansion and upgrades earlier this year, athletic department officials were determined to maintain certain traditions like this for future Eagles. "Thus, the 'Field of Dreams' became a reality," said Frank Hook, director of donor relations for Georgia Southern's Athletic Foundation, who along with Kleinlein, came up with the "Field of Dreams' concept. "It's one of those special traditions in college football that will continue to make a Georgia Southern game like none other in the country." Speaking on behalf of his mother, Helen, and sisters Tara and Traci, Ed Nelson said, "We are proud to be a part of 'The Journey' for Eagle football. My father understood the value of qual- ity education and how important access to higher education is for the people of southeast Georgia. "Over the years, we built a strong relation- ship with Georgia Southern. In fact, many of our employees at Rotary are alumni and many have family members who either attended or have children in school at the University today. "We feel the growth and excitement of Georgia Southern football is worth the invest- ment. We hope our gift will inspire others to support the University through their own gifts. It has made a strong impact in people's lives throughout Georgia and beyond." Feel-good football story upfront Editor Steve noe | snoe@specialtyim.com OPE