The Rochester Institute of Technology announced Tuesday the Bruce B. Bates Women’s Hockey Coach, the university’s first endowed coaching position for Tiger athletic programs.
RIT Trustee Emeritus Bruce B. Bates, who joined the board in 1970, is providing the gift where endowed earnings will support the salary of the women’s head hockey coach and provide budget relief to athletics.
“The women’s team deserves this endowment and recognition for their program,” said Bates in a news release. “These young women are exceptional student-athletes both in the classroom and on the ice. I am a season ticket holder and enjoy their brand of hockey. This feels good to me. It’s the right place to start for an endowed coaching position.”
The endowment in athletics will be similar to those in academics at RIT. The donation is invested, and a portion of the return is distributed each year. When funded, the endowment will include commitments of more than $1.7 million.
Scott McDonald, who recently signed a five-year extension to lead the women’s team through 2020, is the first recipient of the endowment.
“I would like to thank Mr. Bates for his support and most of all, his generosity for our program and RIT athletics,” McDonald said in a statement. “This is a monumental step for our program. Not only will this benefit our team, but our entire athletics department. I am honored and humbled that Mr. Bates feels that we have earned this generous gift.”
Bates, a longtime supporter of RIT, said his recent gift is about an emotional connection to the women’s team. He hopes more donors follow suit for other RIT coaches.
“I got involved in a lot of different ways over the years with RIT,” aded Bates. “After a while, you get to love a place that tends to think you are OK and gives you opportunities to love them back.”
