National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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Feb 9, 2010 12:00:00 AM

Massachusetts-Lowell announced the establishment of the Kathy O'Neil Endowment Fund at a ceremony Saturday afternoon before the River Hawks' Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball game against Stonehill, and coach O'Neil responded by winning her 400th career game.

The endowment fund to benefit the women's basketball program was created a year ago by basketball alumni Jennifer Morrison, Diane DiRoma, Dobee Baston and Kendra Young. Former accounting professor and Faculty Athletics Representative Linda Kistler also contributed to the fund that honors O'Neil's 25 seasons at the university.

Within the year, the committee exceeded its initial goal of $25,000.

"Kathy O'Neil is a coach, mentor and friend," Morrison said. "(The fund) was the least we could do to show our appreciation for Kathy and her commitment to the growth and development of her players."

The announcement came on a day when Massachusetts-Lowell welcomed home more than 30 former players on Women's Basketball Alumni Day.

They were treated to an 80-69 River Hawks win, O'Neil's 400th.

O'Neil has guided the River Hawks to eight appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament. She is a member of two halls of fame, including that of her alma mater, Saint Michael's, in which she was inducted and had her No. 11 jersey retired in 1988. She also is a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, into which she was inducted in 2004.