Generous donation funds UNLV women’s sports careers initiative with million-dollar gift

UNLV Athletics Department Receives $1.05 Million Endowment for Women’s Sports Career Development

In a groundbreaking move, the UNLV Athletics Department announced a generous endowment of $1.05 million to fund career development for women in sports. The Diana Bennett Career Development Program for Women’s Sports aims to provide internship programming, resume building, career professional development, and various networking and job experience initiatives. This program is part of the “Rebel Up” Campaign, a statement from the Athletics Department revealed.

Diana Bennett, the driving force behind this initiative, emphasized the importance of providing female student-athletes with the necessary tools and support to excel in their chosen field beyond their athletic careers. Bennett, who served as the chair of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees from 2020-22, has been a longstanding advocate for empowering women in leadership roles.

The program is set to kick off in the fall of 2024, offering a comprehensive platform for female student-athletes to transition into successful professionals post-sporting career. UNLV Director of Athletics, Erick Harper, expressed his gratitude towards Diana Bennett for her remarkable commitment to enhancing career opportunities for female student-athletes at UNLV.

This generous endowment marks a significant milestone in supporting the career development of women in sports at UNLV, setting a precedent for future initiatives aimed at empowering female athletes. The impact of this program is expected to be far-reaching, providing a solid foundation for women to thrive in the sports industry and beyond.