Kreighbaum Gives $200,000 Gift to MSU Women’s Basketball and Bobcat Club
2/19/2010 8:55:24 AM | Women's Basketball
The Montana State University Athletics Department has announced a $200,000 estate gift from Dr. Ellen Kreighbaum, a pioneer in Bobcat women’s athletics.
The Montana State University Athletics Department has announced a $200,000 estate gift from Dr. Ellen Kreighbaum, a pioneer in Bobcat women's athletics.
The majority of the gift ($170,000) is earmarked for women's basketball, while the remaining $30,000 will go the Bobcat Club for student-athlete scholarships.
Kreighbaum's history at MSU stretches back to 1965 when she was first hired as an instructor in physical education and director of women's intramurals. A year later, the intramural program began to evolve into a women's intercollegiate competitive program under her leadership.
In 1968, she petitioned and received money from the Associated Students of MSU for female student-athlete travel and equipment needs, and the women's basketball program at MSU was born. She was instrumental in the establishment of the women's athletic department at MSU, as well.
“Montana State has an outstanding history with its student-athletes becoming upstanding members of their communities, and this gift will help current players in their development while at MSU,” Kreighbaum said. “We all should be very proud of how the student-athletes are achieving in the classroom, in the community and on the court.”
Part of the gift is the 'Ellen Kreighbaum Women's Basketball Champions Challenge,' which was created to encourage fans to donate to the women's basketball discretionary fund. The Kreighbaum challenge will match dollar-for-dollar up to $14,000 for the program each year.
“We are extremely thankful that Ellen has provided this gift for our program,” head women's basketball coach Tricia Binford said. “The Kreighbaum challenge allows other fans to become involved in giving and helping to ensure our future successes.”
Kreighbaum, who is a regular at Bobcat women's basketball games and is a member of its Fast Break Club, was inducted into the Wendy's of Montana – Montana State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 for her efforts in championing women's athletics at MSU.
