Tamika Catchings Donates $50 Million to Tennessee Athletics: “Giving Back to the College That Gave Me Everything”
Knoxville, TN — April 20, 2025
In a historic gesture of gratitude and generosity, Tennessee Lady Vols basketball legend Tamika Catchings has donated $50 million to the University of Tennessee’s athletics department. The gift marks one of the largest individual contributions in the school’s history and is set to transform facilities, scholarships, and student-athlete development programs across the university.
Catchings, a Hall of Famer who led the Lady Vols to an undefeated national championship in 1998, announced the donation alongside the unveiling of a new mural in Indianapolis, commissioned by the Indy Arts Council and the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee to honor her legacy.
> “The University of Tennessee gave me everything—my education, my platform, my family away from home,” Catchings said during a press conference on campus. “This gift is my way of saying thank you and making sure future generations of Lady Vols have the same opportunities I did.”
University officials were visibly moved by the announcement. Athletic Director Danny White called the donation “transformative” and said it would be used to elevate Tennessee’s commitment to excellence on and off the court.
> “Tamika Catchings is not only a Tennessee legend—she’s a symbol of what it means to lead with purpose, passion, and pride,” White said. “Her generosity will directly benefit hundreds of student-athletes for years to come.”
Catchings’ gift will fund renovations to the women’s basketball training facilities, create a new student-athlete leadership and wellness center, and establish an endowed scholarship program for underrepresented and first-generation college students.
The donation comes at a time when the university continues to celebrate its storied women’s basketball program, built by the late Coach Pat Summitt. Catchings was one of Summitt’s most iconic players and continues to embody the legacy of Lady Vol excellence.
> “Coach Summitt taught us that it’s not just about wins and losses—it’s about impact,” Catchings said. “That’s what this is about. Impact.”
The mural honoring Catchings is expected to be completed later this summer in downtown Indianapolis, where she starred for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever and has remained an active figure in community service and youth outreach.
For Tennessee and its fans, Tamika Catchings’ gift is more than just a donation—it’s a lasting symbol of loyalty, legacy, and love for Rocky Top.
