Florida A&M named its softball field after legendary Rattlers head coach Veronica Wiggins. In 29 seasons, Wiggins coached the program to 13 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships and 726 wins.
By Gerald Thomas III
(Source Tallahassee Democrat):
The turf of Florida A&M’s softball complex will forever read “Veronica Wiggins Field.”
Ahead of FAMU’s Saturday doubleheader versus Jacksonville University, legendary Rattlers head softball coach Veronica Wiggins watched her name unveiled on the field that she built a powerhouse softball program.
FAMU’s softball field bears Wiggins’ name in orange writing with a white outline between the home plate and the first base and the home plate and third base.
FAMU administration and former Rattlers softball players spoke about their experience with Wiggins in front of a packed crowd at the pregame ceremony.
“It’s overwhelming,” Wiggins said of her field namesake honor.
“This would not be possible without the student-athletes who put FAMU on their back and the program in their heart. I’m here to say thank you.”
A FAMU and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Famer, Wiggins coached the Rattlers from 1992 to 2020. She oversaw FAMU winning 13 MEAC Championships and 726 games. Wiggins is the only HBCU head coach to win over 700 games and has the most wins as a head coach in FAMU sports history.
The Miami native Wiggins earned five MEAC Coach of the Year honors. Additionally, Wiggins led FAMU to eight NCAA Regionals and coached the program to its first and only national tournament win in 2006 when the Rattlers beat Mississippi Valley State 7-5 in the Tuscaloosa Regional.
“We’re grateful to bestow this honor upon Coach Wiggins,” said FAMU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes.
“She broke barriers. She is the one who stood up and advocated for women in sports leadership roles. So, I’m grateful to be a part of her legacy.”
