Support Women in Leadership
Vikes Women's Basketball is committed to providing student-athletes with exceptional coaching, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities. To further invest in their success, we have created a second full-time assistant coach position. This role enhances individualized support, skill development, mentorship, and community outreach programming, while also creating an important opportunity for women pursuing careers in high-performance sport and coaching.
Strong female leadership remains an important part of our program and the broader sport landscape. Less than 60% of U SPORTS women's basketball teams are led by female head coaches, and even fewer benefit from multiple women in coaching roles. By investing in coaching resources, we can better support our student-athletes while helping develop the next generation of women leaders in sport.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, this campaign is nearing its goal. A generous donor committed to advancing women in leadership matched donations raised throughout the campaign up to $125,000, helping us make significant progress toward our fundraising target.
Our goal is to raise $250,000, and as of October 2026, we are seeking the final $25,000 to complete this initiative.
Vikes women’s basketball is seeking support from people who are passionate about women leading women and are willing to pledge their support for women in leadership.
Goal:
$250,000
Impact:
Your support will help fund our second full-time assistant coach position, as well as supplement compensation for part-time assistant coach positions. Funds will also support coaching staff for Vikes Nation youth programming and encourage more women in coaching.
Passionate About Women Leading Women
Assistant coaches significantly contribute to varsity athletics by providing benefits such as specialized expertise, individualized attention, practice efficiency, focused player development, and enhanced communication.
“The role that assistant coaches play is invaluable for every member of our Vikes team. To be able to provide an avenue to help support women in coaching, as well as give our players strong female role models who have walked in their shoes, is something we are proud of.”
— Carrie Watts, Head Coach Vikes Women’s Basketball
“It is impactful for me to have female coaches because they can relate to me and build a relationship with me in a unique way. In a field traditionally dominated by men, they provide me with inspiration and are my role models to pursue my passions as a woman.”
— Meike Boerstra, Vikes Women’s Basketball alumnus
Did you know: 100% of male athletes have had a male coaching role model during their athletic careers. Young women need and deserve the same opportunity.
How Can You Help
Make a gift in a way that works best for you:
+ A one-time gift of any amount ☺
+ A monthly gift, such as $25, $50, $100, or more ☺☺
+ A multi-year pledge that can be fulfilled over a period of up to five years ☺☺☺☺☺
Every gift, regardless of size, helps advance women in sport and supports the success of current and future Vikes student-athletes.
SUPPORT WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP.
