Kevin Liles, President of Def Jam/Def Soul Records,
personally donated $150,000 to complete the construction of the Woodlawn, Maryland
High School athletic stadium. Construction on the 2,000-seat stadium began nearly
seven years ago, but was halted due to a lack of funding. Liles, a 1986 graduate
of Woodlawn High School, decided to pledge the $150,000 needed to finish the
$350,000 project. Liles along with county and local officials participated in
a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday morning. 1
"When I was asked to help support the Woodlawn
Stadium project financially, I felt honored and I immediately said yes,"
noted Liles. "When I was growing up, Woodlawn High School helped to provide
me with a good education and great memories. For years to come, I want students
who attend Woodlawn High School to have the same opportunities that I was given,"
said Liles.
"Kevin Liles is an inspiration to all of
our students as a person who has succeeded in life and is willing to give back
to his roots," said Woodlawn Principal, Anthony Thompson. Kevin’s generous
donation of $150,000 to complete the construction of this long desired stadium
for school and community activities is out of this world," added Thompson.
Slated to open in the Spring of 2003, the Woodlawn
High School stadium complex will also include general and VIP seating, concessions,
a multi-functional press box and a state-of-the-art digital scoreboard. The
new athletic stadium which has yet to be named officially, will more than likely
bear Kevin Liles’ last name, as a symbol of gratitude from the high school for
Liles’ generosity.
Kevin Liles is the President of Def Jam/Def Soul
Records, one of the world’s largest and most successful record companies, based
in New York City. In addition, he is the Founder of the newly established, Kevin
Liles For A Better Baltimore, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing
academic, social and financial opportunities for young people who make a significant
efforts to improve the City of Baltimore. Liles is also a 2002 recipient of
the annual award given by The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, an organization
dedicated to promoting ethnic tolerance and harmony.
