West Virginia WBB Program Receives Generous Gift

West Virginia women’s basketball program received a major gift of $2.5 million from the Hayhurst family, WVU supporters. West Virginia University announced the generous donation on Thursday afternoon.

So excited and grateful for the Hayhurst Family, who will be recognized as 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 members, the highest level of philanthropic giving in the @WVU_MAC, following a $2.5 million major gift to @WVUWBB! 👏

🔗 https://t.co/VODs9rqbx8#HailWV pic.twitter.com/ycj1dEpUj5

— WVU Sports (@WVUSports) August 22, 2024

“What a tremendous honor for our women’s basketball program to have an endowment for its head coaching position. The coaching endowment, along with their additional gift, once again proves that the Hayhurst family’s loyalty and commitment to WVU Athletics are never-ending,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “Our department cannot thank Christy (Hayhurst Davis) and the Hayhurst family enough for their support, trust and loyalty over the years. This gift will be a major asset to the overall success of our women’s basketball program.”

The Hayhurst family will be recognized as Gold Coat Circle members within the Mountaineer Athletic Club, the highest level of philanthropic giving.

$2 million will go towards naming the head coaching position while $500,000 go towards everyday work with the assistants within the program.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Hayhurst family for the continued support and generous gift to the women’s basketball program.” WVU women’s basketball coach Mark Kellogg said. “This will help us continue our push toward competing for Big 12 Conference and NCAA Championships. It will allow us to pursue new opportunities within our program and help us innovate our way forward in this college landscape as we build upon the traditions of the West Virginia women’s basketball program.”

More from WVU Athletics:

Natives of West Virginia, who grew up in Buckhannon, the Hayhursts have been longtime supporters of West Virginia University and Mountaineer Athletics. The Hayhurst family is pleased to continue its long-term support of WVU Athletics and Academics with this gift. It will ensure continued support for coach Kellogg and his staff and players, in the classroom and on the court.
 
Siblings, Ronald, the late Robert, and the late Robin Hayhurst, were all first-generation college graduates at WVU. Ronald earned his degree in accounting, while Robert and Robin earned degrees in sport management. Their passion for WVU athletics and academics has been passed down to the next generation as Robert’s daughter, Christy Hayhurst Davis and her husband James Davis (both graduates of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources) and continuing on to their three daughters.

The entire Hayhurst family, now spanning three generations, has been avid supporters of West Virginia University and WVU Athletics.
 
“The WVU women’s basketball team, under the leadership of coach Kellogg, along with his coaches and staff, has done a tremendous job in attracting new and developing existing members of the team to ensure their success both athletically and academically,” Christy said. “Our family is happy to support them and the program into the future, as they continue to represent all West Virginians and develop the female leaders of tomorrow.”

The gift is the second endowment for a WVU head coaching position the Hayhurst family have made, gifting the rifle program $1 million in 2022.