Bowling Green, Ky. - A Bowling Green couple is putting action behind their words of support for Lady Topper Basketball. Mike and Belle Hunt have made a $200,000 challenge gift in support of endowed scholarships for the women’s basketball program.

Belle Hunt, a Lady Topper fan since 1980, says the program has become a big part of their lives. “We enjoy watching the girls play basketball, but we realize that college is fleeting,” she said. “The endowed scholarships will help them get a good education in order to be successful later in their lives. The scholarship support will also open up funds to be used for other things.”

Mike Hunt agrees. “Though we were a part of the group that raised money in the past for the program, an endowment is forever,” he said. “We think this is the best use of the money. If collegiate sports are to continue at the level people want, the private sector is going to have to step up and get that done.”

Dr. Wood Selig, WKU’s director of Athletics, said the Hunts have pledged to match gifts given in support of Lady Topper scholarships up to a total of $200,000. The goal is to endow scholarships for the “starting five” players, an accomplishment that is shared by only a small handful of schools in the country.

"These endowments will serve well the Lady Topper program for generations to come,” he said. “We are very grateful for the forward thinking of Belle and Mike Hunt.”

"Our women’s basketball program is very fortunate to have these individuals step up and make this type of commitment,” said Lady Topper Head Coach Mary Taylor Cowles. “This type of donation will have an everlasting effect on our program and we are so grateful for their support. We feel confident that our women’s basketball program is headed in the right direction, and this type of support makes it easier to achieve our short-term and long-term goals that we have set for our program.”

Tom Hiles, WKU’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, said the Hunts are very special donors to the Lady Toppers. “They support us financially but also by being at every game and volunteering whenever asked,” he said. “They are part of the family, and they personify the Western Spirit.”

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For more information, contact Tom Hiles, (270) 745-6208.