Boise State Athletics Announces Seven-Figure Gift for Women’s Sports
11/14/2023 10:41:00 AM | General
Designated for capital projects, including lights for softball field
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State Athletics received a seven-figure gift designated for capital projects that directly impact Bronco women's sports programs, director of athletics Jeramiah Dickey announced Tuesday. The gift will fund the installation of lights for Huber Field at Dona Larsen Park, home of the 2023 MW Champion Bronco softball team. The donor has requested to remain anonymous.
"On behalf of the entire department, our student-athletes, and especially our champion softball team, thank you for your generous donation. We had a need and Bronco Nation responded," said Dickey. "This donation guarantees the installation of lights at Huber Field and ensures the Broncos will host the MW Championship this coming spring."
The remaining dollars will be allocated for Bronco women's sports in projects yet to be determined.
"I cannot thank our donor enough for the generous gift for our women's sports programs," said Christina Van Tol, Sr. Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Services and Senior Woman Administrator. "This is game changing for us. It expands opportunities for our student-athletes exponentially–from lights to locker rooms–this gift is a difference maker and its impact will be immediate."
The donation to women's sports is significant following last year's 50th Anniversary of Title IX. Boise State features one of the longest-recognized women's athletic departments in the Pacific Northwest predating the passing of Title IX, starting with the 1970-71 school year when female student-athletes competed as non-scholarship athletes in six sports: basketball, field hockey, gymnastics, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
The dawn of Title IX also meant the decision to merge the men's and women's athletic departments at Boise State in the summer of 1976. The merger gave the women's programs access to the school's vital athletic revenue streams that would help support and improve the women's programs.
In the 50 years since the passing of Title IX, Boise State's women's sports have grown from six programs and no scholarships to 11 programs with the full complement of scholarships and provides opportunities for nearly 200 female student-athletes to compete athletically on an annual basis.
Under the direction of head coach Justin Shults, the Broncos tied the school record for wins with 40 in 2022 and captured the conference regular season title last season.
"This is a great day for Bronco softball," said Shults. "Lights at Dona Larsen Park will expand start times to enable even more fans to join us. A big thanks goes to Jeramiah and our fundraising team. They put in the hours to make this happen and it will have an immediate impact as we continue to elevate our program."
Upgrades at Dona Larsen Park were identified as one of the 12 priorities referenced in the Boise State Athletics Playbook for Success to position itself for future success and sustainability.
This is the second $1M gift Bronco Athletics has received since the public launch of UnBridled: The Campaign for Boise State. Since the launch of the Lyle Smith Society, this is the 13th $1M+ gift from a total of 10 different individuals or families.
Visit BroncoSports.com for more information.
