On Thursday, UNC Athletics announced the volleyball program had received a $1 million gift from former player Donna Gutterman as part of the FORevHER fundraising campaign. The campaign’s goal is to “champion the women of Carolina Athletics’ past, present and future by supporting scholarships, facilities and mentorship and leadership development opportunities for future generations of women student-athletes.”
Gutterman, originally from Raleigh, graduated from UNC in 1979. She was the first-ever scholarship volleyball player at Carolina.
“The years I spent playing volleyball at UNC were the most influential of my life,” she said. “And I am honored to be in the position to help perpetuate it for future generations.”
Gutterman’s gift was made in honor of the volleyball program, head coach Joe Sagula, Gutterman’s former teammates and alumnae and Dr. Beth Miller. Miller was an assistant coach during Gutterman’s first year with the Tar Heels before becoming head coach her sophomore year. Miller worked in the UNC athletic department for 40 years, eventually retiring in 2015 as senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator.
“I am extremely touched by Donna’s generosity,” said Miller. “I am especially appreciative that she has chosen to support the volleyball program that we both love, as well as all of the women student-athletes at Carolina.”
In addition, Gutterman sponsors a scholarship given to UNC volleyball athletes. Nia Parker-Robinson received the scholarship during the 2021-22 season.
The FORevHER campaign celebrates the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX in Congress, prohibiting gender discrimination in any education program, including athletics. The campaign also aims to highlight women’s sports stars past and present at Carolina. To date, UNC’s 34 NCAA team championships in women’s sports are third all-time in Division I history, behind only Stanford and UCLA.
Featured image via UNC
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