Whitten Family Establishes Men’s Basketball Endowment With Seven-Figure Commitment

1/7/2022 11:07:00 AM

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Department of Athletics has received a $5.2-milllion commitment from the Whitten Family, longtime Tigers supporters, to establish a men’s basketball endowment, Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois announced.

In recognition of the family’s generosity, Mizzou’s men’s basketball head coaching position will be named the “Dorothy D. and Charles E. Whitten, Jr. Men’s Basketball Head Coach.” For media purposes, the position will be referred to as the Whitten Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach. The Whitten Family will be honored during the Tigers’ home game against Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Mizzou Arena.

The purpose of the Dorothy D. and Charles E. Whitten, Jr. endowment of the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Missouri is to recognize two extraordinary individuals, who were exemplary parents, coaches, teachers, mentors, sponsors and role models for so many in their beloved home state of Missouri for the last 75 years and counting. The gift will improve and enhance the student-athlete experience for men’s basketball players at Mizzou and will be placed in an endowment to support such efforts in perpetuity.

The Whittens are the epitome of grit and grace that defines great coaches and teams. We are so appreciative of their passion for Mizzou and the Tigers and their desire to leave a legacy for their family to be able to grasp the impact they had on our University and community. This extremely generous commitment will directly benefit the lives and experience of our men’s basketball student-athletes and is a showcase of the Whitten’s lifelong legacy of giving and service.

Desireé Reed-Francois

Most people in life want something from us, we were so lucky that my mother and late father wanted something for us, and all they interacted with throughout their lives. Their lives were defined by selfless sacrifice. They worked so hard to assure a five-star culture in whatever environment they were in because they knew that would create a five-star team. Their empathy is what others admired about their approach to life.

Dr. Chuck Whitten

The Whitten family desires to perpetuate their legacy at the flagship university within the state, where together they were rabid basketball fans over half a century and counting. As time passes, it is important their grandchildren, great grandchildren and family trees understand the impact they had on the communities they were part of in central Missouri. It is their hope the men’s basketball head coach will create an environment reflective of what defined their lives – a true love and concern for the well-being of those they interacted with in all aspects of life.

To learn more about how you can support the Whitten Family Men’s Basketball endowment, Mizzou Athletics and its 500 incredible student-athletes, please visit tsfmizzou.com or call the TSF office at 573-882-0704.

Read More