West Virginia University (WVU) has announced a $2.5 million gift from the Hayhurst family of alumni in support of the women’s basketball program.

The gift consists of a $2 million endowment, which will name the head women’s basketball coaching position in perpetuity, as well as $500,000 for day-today operations. Avid supporters of West Virginia University and WVU Athletics, the gift is the second endowment for a WVU head coaching position from the Hayhursts; in 2022 they contributed $1 million in support of the rifle program. Siblings, Ronald, the late Robert, and the late Robin Hayhurst, were all first-generation college graduates at WVU.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Hayhurst family for the continued support and generous gift to the women’s basketball program.” said WVU women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg. “This will help us continue our push toward competing for Big 12 Conference and NCAA Championships. It will allow us to pursue new opportunities within our program and help us innovate our way forward in this college landscape as we build upon the traditions of the West Virginia women’s basketball program.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/M_a_y_a)