Donors and student-athletes gather to celebrate 20 years of supporting student-athletes’ education
From the inspired “team mom” to the grateful soccer player, 150+ dedicated endowment donors to the social justice-minded baseball pitcher, Husky student-athletes and supporters came together to recognize the impact you make when you support scholarships.
“The University of Washington and people like you are helping me become the man I want to be,” senior pitcher Channing Nesbitt told the crowd at the 20th annual celebration of endowment donors.
He shared that being able to represent the UW at the Black Student-Athletes Conference in 2017 awakened his desire “to be a catalyst for bringing people together” on important social justice issues.
Soccer player Samantha Kokoska reflected on all the resources that donor support provides to student-athletes — academic tutoring, sports psychology, expert training, plenty of food to fuel success and lots more.
“I’m confident that my time here is shaping me into a caring woman with strong principles who will one day give back to the world in the same way that you and the University of Washington have given so much to me,” she concluded.
Athletic Director Jen Cohen opened the evening by reflecting on how much support has grown since she attended her first dinner 17 years ago.
“We had to spread the tables out and invite all the staff to make the room look full because we had just a handful of endowment donors,” she recalled. “Now, look at all you! We can’t thank you enough for your incredible generosity. You are changing lives.”
Tyee Club Advisory Board Chair Janice Olson wrapped up the evening, prompting smiles as she recounted her days as “the queen of orange slices and juice boxes” with her son’s basketball team. Her appreciation for the hard work that goes into becoming an intercollegiate student-athlete spurred her to become a scholarship donor.
“It’s because all of you care so much, because you are a community for our Huskies, that I am proud, as a former team mom, to join your ranks in supporting our incredible student-athletes,” Janice said. “You make it possible for them to follow their dreams — not just during their time in college but for the rest of their lives by giving them a gift they’ll cherish forever: a UW education. Thank you.”
Interested in learning how you can make a lifelong impact by establishing a scholarship endowment? Contact us at 206.543.2234.
Celebrating 20 years of your generosity
In the 1997–98 school year, the Husky football team finished fourth in the Pac-12 and beat Michigan State in the Aloha Bowl by a lopsided 51–23. We watched Jerry Maguire and Titanic at the movies and listened to Sheryl Crow on the radio. The Seattle Mariners won the AL West and the Seahawks ended the season 8–8. The average price of a home in King County was $214,000.
My, how times have changed! And for Husky Athletics, thanks to your support, change has been nothing but positive.
Your generosity has increased the total value of our endowments from $5 million in 1997 to almost $70 million today. The number of endowed scholarships has grown from 33 to 209. Your support covered tuition and fees of about $3,366 for an in-state student-athlete and $10,656 for out-of-state in 1997; costs of attendance have grown to a total of $26,595 and $51,159 in 2017.
Through the years, one thing has remained constant: Our deep appreciation for all you do for UW student-athletes. Your gifts — for endowed scholarships as well as for The Competitive Edge Fund — provide Husky student-athletes with the opportunity to earn a world-class UW education, to compete in the sports they love, and to graduate as principled citizens ready to change the world.
Thank you for two decades of awesome support!
