Call it a slam dunk: West Virginia University is scoring new opportunities for students to pursue and complete their degrees with a $5 million gift honoring late Mountaineer great Jerry West.
Steve Ballmer, chairman of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, and his wife, Connie, made the gift as a tribute to West following his passing on June 12, 2024. The announcement coincides with Jerry West Day, a celebration of West’s memory and legacy at the WVU men’s basketball game Saturday (Jan. 18) versus Iowa State.
Half of the Ballmer family’s gift establishes a new fund in West’s name to support completion grants, which provide monetary assistance for WVU students at risk of leaving the University due to financial challenges. The goal is to encourage students to remain in school and complete their degrees.
The remaining funds will bolster the Jerry West Scholarship, which goes to undergraduate students from West Virginia with demonstrated financial need. First awarded in 1971, the scholarship has enabled generations of Mountain State natives to graduate from WVU.
“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 and his wife, Karen, contributed generously to the University during his lifetime, supporting scholarships, athletics, academics, health care and more to benefit his home state and its residents. He also shared his expertise to benefit WVU, offering advice and counsel to athletics leadership as needed.
“I have no doubt Jerry West would be thrilled by this meaningful gift to his alma mater,” Cindi Roth, president and CEO of the WVU Foundation, said. “His intellect, strength and character were defined by his West Virginia roots, and he was deeply committed to creating opportunities for Mountaineers to succeed. We appreciate this thoughtful gift from the Ballmer family to build upon Jerry West’s legacy at WVU.”
Known as “The Logo” for inspiring the iconic silhouette of the NBA logo, West is universally regarded as one of basketball’s all-time greats. Last fall, he became the first three-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame — as a player, executive and contributor.
West cultivated his basketball skills growing up in Chelyan, a small town in Kanawha County, and led the Mountaineers to historic success in the 1950s. WVU won 81 of 93 games while West was in the lineup and came within two points of winning a national championship in 1959.
Taken in the first round of the 1960 NBA draft by the Lakers (No. 2 overall), West spent 14 seasons in Los Angeles and racked up virtually every league honor before he retired in 1974. Following his playing career, he excelled as one of the NBA’s top executives. He served as general manager and president of the Lakers, helping them to earn six NBA titles over 18 years, and general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.
“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,” WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “In the times that I got to speak with Jerry, I quickly realized why he was so respected and revered around the country. Much appreciation goes to the Ballmers, not only for this gift, but for their friendship with Jerry and in helping WVU preserve his legacy.”
Post-retirement, West provided pivotal guidance to the Golden State Warriors and later the LA Clippers as a consultant and executive board member. His work with the Clippers began in 2017 and continued until his death.
Ballmer purchased the LA Clippers in 2014, after retiring as CEO of Microsoft. He has described West as “a confidant, an advisor and a friend” who enriched his life personally and professionally.
“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.”
Together, Steve and Connie co-founded Ballmer Group Philanthropy, which funds organizations and leaders to expand economic opportunity and reduce systemic inequities in America.
The Ballmer gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Cassie Rice
Director of Strategic Communications
WVU Foundation
304-554-0217; crice@wvuf.org
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