University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Athletics Receives Largest Gift in Bulldog Athletics History
05.15.2025 | General, Athletics News
Campaign Website
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the University of North Carolina Asheville officially launched the public phase of its Centennial Campaign, aiming to raise $100 million in philanthropic support by the University's 100th anniversary in 2027 and listed Athletics as being one of the key four strategic pillars of the campaign.Â
Recently UNC Asheville received a landmark $5 million gift from a local family — the largest gift in UNC Asheville's history— which will expand the Gateway Scholars Program endowment and provide wraparound support for first-generation students. A portion of this gift includes a $1.8 million gift directed to Athletics, the largest in program history.
The $1.8Â million commitment to athletics will be split, with $1 million going to the Janet R. Cone Athletics Endowment to support the Dream Bigger. Achieve More strategic priorities and $800,000 to establish two fully funded endowed "Janet R. Cone Gateway Scholarships" for Bulldog student-athletes who are first-generation students.
"On behalf of the UNC Asheville Athletics Department and our university, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our generous supporters for their contribution to the advancement of Bulldog Athletics," stated Cone. "This donation underscores the importance of our dedicated efforts to develop champions in athletics and leaders in life. It will play a vital role in helping us achieve and sustain the priorities outlined in our Dream Bigger, Achieve More Strategic Plan. On a personal note, I feel humbled and honored that our donors have chosen to recognize my 21 years of serving and leading our Bulldogs."
From the anonymous donors: "As donors, we have never prioritized athletics in our philanthropic contributions. However, after learning about the commitment of the leadership, coaches, and athletes at UNC Asheville to embodying the ideals of 'scholar-athletes' and the Division I Enhanced Educational Model, we decided to change that. We are now proud to support UNC Asheville Athletics and its effort to develop "Champions in Athletics and Leaders in Life."
UNC Asheville's 16 NCAA Division I teams are part of the Big South Conference and uphold the highest ideals of the scholar-athlete. Our dedicated Bulldogs excel in athletic performance at the Division I level while also maintaining exceptional standards in the classroom and within our community. UNC Asheville scholar-athletes consistently rank among our top students, graduating at a higher rate and achieving higher GPAs than the general student body. Notably, three of the last five valedictorians have been scholar-athletes, including the last two years! Our Bulldogs enhance both the academic and athletic environment, improving the campus and community experience for everyone.
Feeling inspired to help support? Please contact Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone at jcone@unca.edu or (828) 251-6922.Â