Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Receive $1 Million Gift
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
April 14, 1999
By Brent Dirks University Daily Staff Writer http://www.ttu.edu/TheUD/
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Gene West always has wanted to be associated with a winner.
Both he and his wife, Eloise, got their wish when the couple gave a $1 million endowment to the Texas Tech Lady Raider basketball program Tuesday.
West, vice president of operations at Tech, came to the university in 1982, the same year as current Lady Raider coach Marsha Sharp.
"Through the years, I've watched that program build," West said. "I've watched Marsha just build that team every year and build the kind of program now that I think we reload every year. Texas Tech doesn't rebuild. We reload every year."
West, former director of building maintenance and utilities, said the Lady Raider program has continued to help Tech garner recognition across the United States. The Muleshoe native earned both his bachelor's and master's degree from Tech.
"For a program like this, you get more recognition for Texas Tech than anything at the physical plant or anything anybody else can do," West said. "If you've got any athletic team that wins, you get a lot of recognition for the school."
West said he wanted to give the money to presidential scholarships, but his wife, who along with Sharp are both from Swisher County, helped change his mind.
Sharp and the entire 1998-1999 Lady Raider squad attended the ceremony. Sharp presented the Wests with a basketball signed by the Tech squad commemorating the 30-4, Sweet 16 team from this season.
"The financial gift itself is terrific, but to be the one you choose out of all the great things that happen at this university is something that we can never thank you for and that we will be forever indebted," Sharp said.
Sharp said the donation is a great honor for the Lady Raider program.
"We talk a lot in our program about the importance of giving back to things that you believe in," Sharp said. "So for (the Lady Raider team), you will always be someone special in their lives because of your commitment to do that to this university and our program in particular."
With the donation, which is part of the faculty/staff Horizon campaign, the total Horizon campaign has hit the $265 million mark. The goal for the campaign is $300 million. The gift, the $1 million life insurance policy from the Wests, names Tech as owner and beneficiary.
"The Wests are long time and loyal friends of the Lady Raiders, and Mr. and Mrs. West agreed that this money should go to help attract exceptional students who happen to be excellent basketball players," Chancellor John Montford said.
"So, we are pleased to receive this gift and offer our heart-felt thanks to the Wests for their support of Tech. It is extra special when we get a gift from one of our own."
