MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia University is set to provide more opportunities for students to complete their degrees, thanks to a $5 million gift honoring the late basketball icon Jerry West.
Steve Ballmer, chairman of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, and his wife, Connie, made the donation in tribute to West, who passed away on June 12, 2024.
The announcement coincides with Jerry West Day, which will be celebrated at WVU’s men’s basketball game against Iowa State on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Half of the donation will establish a new fund in West’s name to provide completion grants for students facing financial difficulties.
These grants aim to help students stay in school and finish their degrees.
The other half will support the Jerry West Scholarship, which has provided financial assistance to undergraduate students from West Virginia since 1971.
“This generous gift from Steve and Connie Ballmer ensures that future generations of West Virginia University students will have the opportunity to explore their passions, discover their purpose and achieve their own success, just as Jerry West did,” WVU President Gordon Gee said.
“It not only preserves a remarkable legacy but will also empower the next wave of leaders to chart their own paths, grounded in the values of determination, excellence and service that West exemplified throughout his life.”
West, a native of Chelyan, West Virginia, was widely regarded as one of basketball’s greatest players. He led WVU to national prominence in the 1950s, with the team winning 81 of 93 games during his tenure.
After a standout college career, he was selected second overall in the 1960 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for 14 seasons before transitioning into a successful executive role.
West remained committed to WVU throughout his life, supporting scholarships, athletics, academics, and health care initiatives. His dedication to the university and its students made a lasting impact.
“I have no doubt Jerry West would be thrilled by this meaningful gift to his alma mater,” said Cindi Roth, president and CEO of the WVU Foundation. “His intellect, strength and character were defined by his West Virginia roots, and he was deeply committed to creating opportunities for Mountaineers to succeed.”
Ballmer, who purchased the Clippers in 2014 after retiring as Microsoft’s CEO, valued West as both an advisor and a friend.
“When we talked about this gift, we wanted to focus on those students who need a little extra assistance in school because of difficulties they’ve experienced in life,” Steve Ballmer said.
“This made so much sense to me because it got to Jerry’s real spirit of wanting to help those people who may not have been blessed in the same way he was.”
WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker emphasized the lasting impact of the donation.
“Jerry West’s legacy will live on in the hearts of West Virginians forever, and it’s generous gifts like this from Steve and Connie Ballmer that will not only honor Jerry but touch the lives of WVU students for years to come,” Baker said.
The donation was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that manages private contributions for the university.
