March 14, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS --- Arizona State received one of 17 grants as part of the newly designed NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Grant Program. Approximately $750,000 in grant money was given to schools and conferences by the NCAA. ASU received nearly $27,000 as part of the program.
The grant program is designed to foster the growth of women's basketball on NCAA member campuses and within NCAA member conferences.
"We want to grow the game of women's basketball at the grass roots level," said NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Vice President Sue Donohoe. "We hope these grants will give schools and conferences the extra resources they need to enhance their women's basketball program."
More than 70 member institutions and conferences submitted proposals in the first year of the three-year pilot program. National office staff and representatives from the NCAA women's basketball marketing consultant firm Hawkeye Sports and Entertainment evaluated the proposals. A call for the second round of proposals will be issued this fall for the 2009-10 academic year.
"We were thrilled with the response from the membership but would encourage every conference and institution to submit a proposal for next year," said Donohoe. "We want to help our members create a buzz about women's basketball on their campus and in their communities." The competition for the grants was very intense as institutions and conferences came up with original ideas for promoting women's basketball.
"We're very pleased to be awarding this grant to Arizona State. We're excited for the Sun Devils and can't wait to see the results," said Donohoe.
The program itself will undergo yearly evaluations to determine if the program objectives are being met. The grants are awarded on a one-year basis and are not automatically renewed. Grant recipients are required to submit a monthly progress report and a final summary report.
ASU is planning to use the grant for many exciting activities and initiatives, including growing the Character Code Game, the Sparky's Kids to College Program and the Hoop Devils Kids Club. ASU will utilize existing youth group and organizational contacts and continue to build relationships in the Phoenix metropolitan area in order to encourage education and good character as well as increase awareness and promote attendance for Sun Devil Women's Basketball.
Other schools and conferences receiving grants included the University of Arkansas, Columbia University, East Tennessee State University, Florida State University, University of Louisville, University of Maryland, University of Oklahoma, San Diego State University, Texas Tech University, University of Washington, Western Kentucky University, the Big Ten Conference, Conference USA, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Northeast Conference and the Patriot League.