Feb. 8, 2010

UMass Lowell announced the establishment of the Kathy O’Neil Endowment Fund at a ceremony Saturday afternoon prior to tipoff of UMass Lowell’s Northeast-10 Conference game against Stonehill College at the Costello Athletic Center.

The Fund, to benefit the women’s basketball program at the University, was created a year ago by women’s basketball alumni Jennifer Morrison (’93), the committee chair; as well as Diane DiRoma (’97), Dobee Baston (’95) and Kendra Young (’92), and former accounting professor and Faculty Athletic Representative Linda Kistler, in honor of O’Neil’s 25th season at the University.

Within the year, the committee exceeded its initial goal of $25,000.

“Kathy O'Neil is a coach, mentor, and friend,” Morrison said. “We organized the Kathy O'Neil Endowment Fund in order to honor this remarkable woman and her 25 years of leadership and dedicated service to UMass Lowell. It was the least we could do to show our appreciation towards Kathy and her commitment to the growth and development of her players."

Other members of the Committee include Dr. Julie Chen, interim vice provost for research; accounting professor Sherre Strickland; and Dr. Joan Lehoullier, senior associate director of athletics.

The announcement was coupled with UMass Lowell’s Women’s Basketball Alumni Day, on which more than 30 former players attended. Additionally, the River Hawks scored an 80-69 victory over Stonehill for O’Neil’s 400th career win.

O’Neil was honored at a reception following Saturday’s game, in which Morrison, Director of Athletics Dana Skinner, and Executive Vice Chancellor Jacquie Moloney spoke on her behalf.

A native of Laconia, NH, O’Neil has guided the River Hawks to eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. She is a member of two halls of fame, including her alma mater, Saint Michael’s (’81), in which she was inducted and had her No. 11 jersey retired in 1988; as well as the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted in 2004.

O’Neil lives in Nashua, NH.