May 3, 2004

CONTACT: Kimberly Stark, (901) 333-4023, (901) 489-4771-cell 
Keith Gentry, (901) 333-4114, (901) 619-1899-cell

SOUTHWEST’S LIGON SIGNS WITH UNION UNIVERSITY

Southwest pitcher Charlie Ligon has signed a scholarship to continue his baseball career and education at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Ligon, a sophomore right-hander from Munford, Tennessee, has posted a 3-1 record with one save in 12 appearances this spring. In 48-1/3 innings of work, he has struck out 44 batters and walked only 22.

Ligon transferred to Southwest from Motlow State Community College, where he was unable to play his first year due to an injury. As a red-shirt freshman at Southwest in 2003, he compiled a 2-2 record with a 3.67 earned run average with 34 strikeouts in 34-1/3 innings.

“Charlie has been a big part of our program for the past two years,” said Southwest head coach Johnny Ray. “Union is getting a pitcher that can help them in many ways and will be an asset to their program.”

Southwest, Tennessee’s largest two-year college, serves more than 12,000 students in Memphis, Shelby and Fayette counties, and the Tri-State area.

Southwest offers 39 programs for career studies and transfer, 37 two-year programs leading to immediate career entry through the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, and more than 40 areas of interest in traditional university transfer programs through the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree.

In addition, Southwest offers Academic Certificate and Technical Certificate programs in 28 areas. Technical certificates are usually completed in no more than one year, and prepare students for immediate entry positions in high-demand, specialized fields.

Southwest, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.