Portlands Endow Scholarships To Support Student-Athletes At Penn State
April 30, 2001
University Park, Pa.— Rene Portland, Head Coach Of The Lady Lions, Penn State’s Women’s Basketball Team, And Her Husband, John Portland, Have Committed $500,000 To The University To Endow Two Undergraduate Scholarships For Student-Athletes. The Gift Is One Of The Largest Ever Made Nationwide By An Athletic Coach For Scholarships.
One scholarship, for captains of the Lady Lions, is named in honor of the Portlands’ daughter, Christine M. Portland, who played with her mother’s team from 1995 to 1999 and was a captain of the 1998-99 team. The other scholarship, to support student-athletes who play center position for the Lady Lions, is named in honor of Rene Portland’s mother, Margaret “Granny” Muth.
“We named these scholarships after the two most important women in our lives who not only shared our love of Lady Lion Basketball, but also were examples of hard work and family values,” said Rene Portland. “We are very grateful for the unique times we have shared with both of them. We are very proud to be associated with such a great program, athletic department and university.
“Every day during practice, I see how much my players bring to the court. My husband and I wanted to find a way to reward players for their hard work and encourage the team sprit and leadership that will make them not only successful Lady Lions at Penn State, but successful leaders in their careers and lives after graduating.”
To be eligible for either scholarship, students must have outstanding academic records and be proficient in basketball. The scholarships will be awarded for one academic year with the possibility of renewal in subsequent years.
“Rene and John’s gift emphasizes the importance of recruiting athletes who are also outstanding students,” said Timothy M. Curley, Director of Athletics. “I would like to thank the Portlands for their great generosity and for their leadership in helping Penn State continue its tradition of combining excellence in academics and athletics.”
The Portlands’ gift supports the University’s Grand Destiny capital campaign, part of which includes support from faculty and staff. Since the campaign began in 1996, nearly 50 percent of all Penn State faculty and staff have made gifts to support students, faculty, academic programs and other University needs.
“The Portlands’ gift to Penn State acknowledges both the academic achievements of our student-athletes and the involvement of faculty and staff in achieving the University’s goals,” said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. “This commitment, one of the largest ever made by an athletic coach for scholarships, is evidence of Rene’s incredible leadership and vision, which she proves time and time again.”
Since Portland began coaching for Penn State in 1980, the Big Ten has named her Coach-of-the Year twice, USA Today has named her National Coach of the Year and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association has named her District 6 Coach of the Year. Under Portland’s leadership, the Lady Lions have reached the rank of the number three team in the nation among women’s college basketball teams.
Rene Portland played basketball for the Mighty Macs at Immaculata College in Chester County, from which she graduated in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in social science and certification in secondary education. She worked as assistant coach there, and later as head coach for St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia and the University of Colorado before coming to Penn State.
John Portland, a 1973 graduate of Philadelphia University, is assistant regional manager of S & A Homes in State College and Bellefonte.