Donation made to City of South Lake Tahoe's new recreation center in honor of Tim and Stacy Wakefield

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - If you could be anyone in the world, be a Wakefield. That was evident on Wednesday at Edgewood Tahoe as the spirit of philanthropy was in full swing as the American Century Championship kicked off.

Tim Wakefield was just 57 years old when he died of a sudden seizure just days after his brain cancer diagnosis was shared with the public. It was also just 74 days after Tim played in the 2023 American Century Championship at Lake Tahoe. His wife Stacy, who was already in a battle with pancreatic cancer at the time of Tim's death, died from the disease almost five months after her husband.

Wakefield had played in 11 consecutive golf championships at Lake Tahoe after his storied 15-year career with the Boston Red Sox where he earned two World Series rings as their pitcher, as well as an All-Star honor and winning the Roberto Clemente Award. Tim was nominated eight times by the Red Sox for the Roberto Clemente Award which is presented to the player who best reflects the spirit of giving back to the community.

It was that spirit that filled the media room at Edgewood as Tim's teammate and close friend Kevin Millar, Gary Quinn, NBC Sports vice president of programming and general manager of owned properties, and Mark Killen, Senior Vice President – International and Senior Corporate Managing Director for American Century Investments shared stories of Tim and Stacy Wakefield.

"Tim and Stacy Wakefield were always about what they could do for others," shared Quinn. "They loved the Lake Tahoe community and their legacy will live on."

It was announced that NBC would donate $10,000 to the new South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center for batting cages in the couple's name. A plaque will also be placed on the wall of the new center in the Wakefields' honor. The donations won't stop there.

The recognition of the Wakefields’ legacy of philanthropy, as well as their association with the tournament, will go on annually with the recreation center.

"This community has embraced us, and we feel we have to give back to the community as they give back to us," said Quinn.

"I can't tell you how the City and residents appreciate this," said South Lake Tahoe Mayor Cody Bass. "We will continue to honor Wakefield."

"These were two of the greatest people on earth," said Millar. "Tim cared about people, he was a tremendous dude."

Quinn, Millar, and Killen all shared not only how special Tim and Stacy were, but also how the annual golf tournament is special, like a family reunion every year. Relationships are formed between the players and their families that go beyond the golf course. Wives become close friends, as do children of the players.

"There is nothing greater than coming," said Quinn of the American Century. "Out of this comes lifelong friendships."

"I feel so blessed to have known Tim," said Killen. "You can't find a nicer human - humble and kind."

The City of South Lake Tahoe's Director of Parks and Recreation, John Stark, shared that in the annual resident survey done for what they'd like to see in recreation in South Lake Tahoe, batting cages always come in at the top. The donation will be used for those in the new center slated to open in January 2026.

This week at the American Century Championship, NBC will launch a long-term initiative for contributions in the names of Tim and Stacy Wakefield to recognize the Wakefields’ legacy of philanthropy as well as their association with the tournament.

In addition, all 2024 American Century Championship tournament hats will have Tim’s #49 logo embroidered, the No. 49 will be stenciled on the fairway 49 yards off the tee box, and the 18 green flag will feature No. 49.

The Wakefield children, Brianna, 18, and Trevor, 20, couldn't make it to Lake Tahoe this year, but Quinn said they are always invited and he expects to see them visit their parent's legacy at the recreation center.