| TALLAHASSEE – Florida A&M Athletics will officially rename the FAMU Softball Field to Veronica Wiggins Field on Saturday, March 2, 2024, during softball alumni weekend as the Rattlers host Jacksonville University.
“We are honored to announce the naming of the softball field at Florida A&M University after the legendary coach Veronica Wiggins,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes. “With 29 seasons under her belt, Coach Wiggins has left an indelible mark on FAMU Athletics, boasting an impressive 726 wins-the most in our history. Her leadership propelled the Rattlers to unprecedented success, clinching 13 MEAC Championships and numerous NCAA Regional appearances. This dedication to excellence and her enduring mentorship cements Coach Wiggins’ legacy as a true icon of FAMU Softball.” “The Florida A&M Softball program is excited to finally be able to celebrate Coach Wiggins and all she has done for this program,” said head coach Camise Patterson. “Having the pleasure of coaching under Coach Wiggins prepared me to be the head coach and taught me how to fight for everything I want. Her example of servant leadership is second to none. The trailblazing coach she is can never be duplicated, and the barriers she broke can never be rebuilt. Naming the field after Coach is just a small token of appreciation for all she’s done for the FAMU Softball program, the Tallahassee community, and the overall softball community, especially the Black softball community. It is my absolute pleasure to see this day while serving as the head coach of the program built by Coach Wiggins!” The events will begin an hour before the game with a softball alumni mixer and speeches from President Robinson, Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, Coach Patterson, a couple of former players, and Veronica Wiggins. The official field ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur before the first pitch. We invite all Rattlers who played for, coached with, and supported Coach Wiggins. A registration link will be available at a later date. Veronica Wiggins Softball Field – The softball field will be named after legendary softball coach Veronica Wiggins. Wiggins is the winningest coach in FAMU Athletics history, with 726 wins in 29 seasons. Wiggins took over the Rattlers softball program in 1992 and coached the team to their first winning season in her second season with a 33-25 record and the program’s first MEAC Championship. The ’93 team was also the MEAC’s first softball champion. Wiggins and the Rattlers would dominate the MEAC in the 1990s, winning six of the first seven MEAC Championships (’93, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’98, ’99). Wiggins coached the Rattlers to seven more MEAC Championships in the 2000s (’05, ’06, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17) for a total of 13 MEAC Championships. Wiggins also coached the Rattlers to 12 30+ win seasons and two 40+ win seasons. The 1997 team holds the program record for most wins in a season with 43. Wiggins also led the Rattlers to eight NCAA Regionals (’99, ’05, ’06, ’09, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17), and they won one NCAA Regional game in 2006 versus Mississippi Valley State, winning 7-5 in the Tuscaloosa Regional. Wiggins has been named MEAC Coach of the Year five times (’93, ’97, ’98, ’06, ’17) and inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the MEAC Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. Wiggins continues to support FAMU Softball, serving as a mentor to Coach Patterson and coming to games. |
