Jody Conradt Excellence Fund in Equity and Leadership

In her 31-year career as head coach of the women’s basketball team, Conradt served as a change agent both on the court and off. Not only did Coach Conradt direct championship-winning teams, in her long career she helped hundreds of young women excel as players, students, and future leaders. She showed that academic success and athletic success go hand in hand. As President Powers has said, “Jody Conradt has been a pioneer in women’s college basketball, and thereby in progress toward equality for young women.” Conradt expanded the horizons of her players and expanded understanding within the community about the ability of all people to succeed and lead in all areas of life.

In honoring Coach Conradt’s legacy, we are pleased to announce the Jody Conradt Excellence Fund in Equity and Leadership. Funds from this endowment will be used to inspire and instruct students on the importance of leadership and equity. Initially, the endowment will support INSPIRE at the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (CWGS). INSPIRE provides mentoring, workshops, and community service opportunities to undergraduate women. The students come from underrepresented groups on campus or study disciplines in which women are underrepresented.

This may be the first time that an academic endowment has been created to honor a university women’s athletics coach. What better way to recognize the pivotal role that Coach Conradt has played in creating opportunity for and demanding excellence from women, both on and off the court?

Make your contribution to the Jody Conradt Excellence Fund in Equity and Leadership