4HE %NDOWMENT 0ROGRAM THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING In April 2005, University of Oklahoma women’s basketball head coach Sherri Coale announced the “Starting Five,” supporters whose gifts established the first-ever endowed positions for the team, providing scholarships for student-athletes. The “Starting Five” donors are the family of Jimmie Austin of Seminole in honor of his late wife, Marie; the Jim and Christy Everest family of Oklahoma City; the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation of Ardmore in honor of Mary Jane Noble; and Bob and Ann Coleman of San Antonio, Texas, as well as an anonymous donor. In January 2006, the women’s basketball program announced five more endowed scholarships. The scholarships were donated by Wayne T. “Dusty” and LaFawn Biddle, John and Sue Gibbs, Robert and Doris Klabzuba, John and Mary Nichols and a joint effort from the Fast Break Club and Sooner Stilettos. Those generous gifts raised the number of women’s basketball endowed scholarships to 10.
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The goal was achieved in June 2007 when the final five endowments were funded, making Oklahoma one of only a handful of women’s basketball program to fully endow all 15 scholarships. The final endowments were provided by generous gifts from the Donald E. Criswell Family of Oklahoma City; Henry Roberson of Norman; Jimmy Williams and Marty Kavanaugh-Williams, Debbie Morehead and Cody Pogue, all of Edmond, in honor of Coale; Steve and Becki Seay of Cheyenne; and Jeannine T. Rainbolt of Oklahoma City. HOW IT WORKS Each endowed scholarship will connect with a women’s basketball “Foundation Player.” This is more than endowing a position on the team. It is the opportunity to have a connection with a former player who filled that position while attending the University of Oklahoma and helped lay the foundation for what, and who, we are today. The “Foundation Player” will be the first member of the endowment scholarship family, followed by the first year’s recipient.
AUSTIN SCHOLARSHIP
COLEMAN SCHOLARSHIP
EVEREST SCHOLARSHIP
NOBLE SCHOLARSHIP
Endower: Jimmie Austin Foundation Player: Stephanie Simon Past Recipients: Lauren Shoush, Courtney Paris
Endower: Bob and Ann Coleman Foundation Player: Phylesha Whaley Past Recipient: Antoinette Wadsworth Current Recipient: Whitney Hand
Endower: Jim and Christy Everest Foundation Player: Caton Hill Past Recipient: Erin Higgins Current Recipient: Danielle Robinson
Endower: Mary Jane Noble Foundation Player: Stacey Dales Past Recipients: Laura Andrews, Ashley Paris
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