News Detail

PSU Women's basketball receives $100,000 donation

02/03/2009

Pittsburg State University assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions Bill Kroenke announced today (Jan. 31) that the Gorilla Women's Basketball program has received a $100,000 donation toward a scholarship endowment fund from the Goppert Foundation.

"Obviously this is a sizeable gift and one that Pittsburg State University is very thankful to receive from the Goppert Foundation," Kroenke said. "Endowed monies have the ability to impact scholarships for generations to come. In these tough economic times, we're certainly appreciative of the magnitude of this gift."

Second-year head coach Lane Lord has been instrumental in resurrecting a dormant women's basketball squad in his short tenure, leading the Gorillas to a 14-5 record heading into today's contest against the University of Central Missouri, after Pitt State had struggled at or below the .500 mark in five of the last six seasons.

Lord, who recorded his 100th career collegiate coaching victory in the Gorillas' last home win over Missouri Western on Jan. 24, echoed Kroenke's sentiments on the magnitude of the endowed gift to his program.

"I have always felt that the local and regional community has embraced PSU Athletics and Gorilla Women's Basketball," Lord said. "That was one of the best selling points when I was interviewing for the coaching position. Our coaches and players are greatly indebted to the Goppert Foundation for this gift. It's an understatement to say that this donation will make a substantial and far-reaching impact on our program."

The Goppert Foundation was established in 1959 by Clarence H. Goppert. Mr Goppert, an area banker and philanthropist, believed in reinvesting earnings back into the community. The Farmers National Bank of Kansas, with offices in St. Paul, Walnut and Hepler, is owned by the Goppert family. The foundation makes grants in the areas of health, education and advancement of elderly and youth services.

"The Goppert Foundation is very excited to support the Pitt State women's basketball team through this scholarship endowment fund," Farmers National Bank President Joe Smith said. "We have been extremely impressed with Coach Lord in the short time we have gotten to know him. His efforts to foster strong relationships in the community and to bring back the winning tradition to Gorilla Women's Basketball both have been commendable. The future is very bright for the Pitt State women's basketball team and we're excited that this endowment will make a positive influence on the program as well."

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