Pepperdine University Chancellor Emeritus Charles Runnels was honored in a ceremony on Monday when the school’s athletics complex was dedicated as the Charles B. Runnels Sports and Recreation Village. Longtime Pacific Palisades residents, Charles and his wife Amy Jo have been avid Waves fans for decades and can regularly be found sitting in the first row behind the scorer’s table for athletic events at Firestone Fieldhouse. ‘ Runnels’ career at Pepperdine began in 1967 when he served on a committee to establish the present Malibu campus in 1971. He then served as vice chancellor from 1971-84, at which time he became chancellor. He gained emeritus status in 2006. At Monday’s dedication, a large brown stone wall and plaque were unveiled at the corner of John Tyler Drive and Banowsky Boulevard naming all of the West Coast Conference school’s athletic facilities’Firestone Fieldhouse, Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool, Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center, Eddy D. Field Stadium, Tari Frahm Rokus Field and Stotsenberg Track in Runnels’ honor. ‘ Over 200 guests attended the ceremony, which included a majority of the Waves’ active coaches and athletics staff. It began with Keith Hinkle, senior vice president for Advancement & Public Relations, recognizing Runnels for his many fundraising efforts and love of the athletics program. University President Andy Benton spoke eloquently about Runnels’ career at Pepperdine, saying that ‘his fingerprints are all over this campus and now his thumbprint will be at the corner of John Tyler Drive and Banowsky Boulevard.’ Benton described Runnels as Pepperdine’s chief ‘friend-raiser.’ He then called up Pepperdine regent Virginia Braun, one of the benefactors behind the ceremony and a longtime friend of the Runnels.’ The stone monument bearing Runnels’ name is 20 feet wide and five feet tall and was unveiled as Runnels’ grandchildren removed its cover, revealing in large words ‘Charles B. Runnels Sports and Recreation Village.’ A small bronze plaque is positioned near the monument signage and a copy of the plaque was given to the chancellor emeritus. Runnels thanked many of the people in attendance as well as his friends and family. He recalled all of his past friends who have athletic facilities named after them and he acknowledged their efforts in building the Pepperdine athletic program.’He closed with the following statement: ‘My prayer for our athletes and coaches and each of you is that your lives would be filled with the joy of sports, the thrill of victory, and the spirit of teamwork in all that you do. Thank you all, and especially my dear friend Jenny Braun, for the vision and dream to make this village come true for Pepperdine students and for all of you who come to enjoy our sports.’
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