Shaping Lives through Competition and Generosity

Former Radford University women's basketball coach (1984-1990) and player Charlene Curtis '76 said that her time as a student-athlete in college helped shape her into the person she is today. This is why for the past 30 years, she has been a staunch supporter of Radford University athletics, its student-athletes and women's basketball. "Athletics offers the student-athlete the opportunity to grow, mature and learn how to deal with controversy. It helps them gain leadership skills and self-discipline that applies to their daily lives," said Curtis.

The Radford University Athletics Hall of Fame and Big South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame member continues to play a part in student-athletes lives throughout the East Coast. Currently, she is the coordinator of officials for women's basketball for the Atlantic Coast and Big South conferences, the Southern Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association. Since her first year as a student at Radford and throughout her years coaching, she has experienced and seen firsthand the impact that athletics has on student-athletes' lives. "Athletic departments asks a lot of our student athletes. At the same time, it gives a lot to them. Students grow through successes and failures, learn how to work as a team and sacrifice to benefit the whole. This is an awesome thing, and I want to continue to do my part to help," said Curtis.

She is a consistent financial supporter for the renovations to the women's basketball locker room project, the women's basketball program, the Stacy Cox Scholarship and the Radford Athletics Club. Last year, she named Radford University in her will to endow the Charlene Curtis Women's Basketball Scholarship. "I remember, as a coach, how difficult it was to raise funds each year to support my athletes. I thought setting up the scholarship endowment was another way, and a lasting way, for me to give back to the university that has given me so much," said Curtis.