Park University has announced that it has received a $100,000 gift to support its women's golf program, marking the largest endowment gift to any single program in the University's athletic department.
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| Jinny McCoy |
The contribution came from Virginia "Jinny" B. McCoy, an honorary member and former chair of the Park University Board of Trustees. She currently is president of the Pirate Club, an organization that cultivates financial support and interest in Park athletics. The gift will be used to support the golf program's "greatest need" each year, said Roland Shelton, associate vice president for advancement at Park University.
"To say that we appreciate this charitable donation to our women's golf program would be an understatement," said Claude English, director of athletics at Park. "This generous gift will contribute to the continuing success of our newest program."
English said McCoy is a founding member of the Pirate Club and has given generously to Park athletics for many years.
"Jinny has played a critical role in ensuring the well-being of athletics at Park University," he said. "She has shared her time, enthusiasm and her talents with us time and time again."
Kelly DeFeo is entering her fifth season as head women's golf coach at Park, leading the Pirates since the program's first year in 2003-04.
"I cannot express in words how much Jinny McCoy and this gift means to Park University women's golf," DeFeo said. "It will continue to help our growing program."
Park University's women's golf team captured its first-ever Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference championship in 2007, led by three-time MCAC medalist Katie Johnson, and Ashley Nicks. In the first event of this season, Nicks won the South Central Kansas Spring Invitational in Winfield, Kan., and Park captured the team title.
For more information about the endowment, contact Shelton in the Office of University Advancement, (816) 584-6844 or roland.shelton@park.edu.
