News Article

A Grand Slam: Brown & Brown Support FSW Baseball with $50,000 Gift

Aug 31, 2015

When Florida SouthWestern State College’s baseball team takes the diamond at City of Palms Park to compete in Spring 2016, they will have more than fan support. The Fort Myers and Naples offices of Brown & Brown Insurance are supporting FSW baseball with $50,000.

“Florida SouthWestern has something really special with City of Palms Park for college athletics,” said Jason Cloar, Executive Vice President, Brown & Brown Fort Myers. “It was easy to get on board and support a reputable institution and a worthy cause.”

Cloar played baseball for Rollins College, then for the Montreal Expos minor league system.

“I remember how the D1 athletes would get all the attention; I played for a D2 team,” he added. “I also remember how much it meant when money raised went to help our team with scholarships and equipment.”

Tom Ellis, Senior Vice President, Brown & Brown Naples has watched the region, and the college, grow over the years. 

“As a longtime resident, I’ve seen the college continue to grow and develop. One of our key executives, Rich Freebourn, was a student at then Edison and played baseball there,” he said. Freebourn was named the college’s Most Outstanding Male Scholar Athlete in 1989 and again in 1990.

“We’re excited to be part of baseball at FSW,” Ellis added. “We appreciate how important the college is to this community.”

“We are very excited to have such a fine company as Brown and Brown form a long term partnership with FSW athletics,” said FSW Director of Athletics Carl McAloose. “Jason and Tom understand the value of athletics on a college campus and how it can add to the overall college experience of a student at FSW.   We believe this will turn into an outstanding relationship.”

Brown & Brown, Inc., through its subsidiaries, offers a broad range of insurance products and related services. Additionally, certain Brown & Brown subsidiaries offer a variety of risk management, third-party administration, and other services. Serving business, public entity, individual, trade and professional association clients nationwide, the Company is ranked by Business Insurance magazine as the United States' sixth largest independent insurance intermediary. The Company's Web address is www.bbinsurance.com.

Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW will debut its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.

Last Updated: August 31, 2015