Former Women's Basketball Player Establishes Endowed Scholarship

Joplin, Mo. -- Former Missouri Southern State College women's basketball standout and MSSU Hall of Fame member Brenda Pitts-Jennings has made a generous monetary gift to start an endowed women's basketball scholarship, the MSSU Athletics Department announced today.

"As a role model for young women, Brenda is the epitome of kind-hearted strength," said current Lions women's basketball coach Maryann Mitts.  "Whether it be teaching and coaching children at area Joplin schools or raising funds to build the local Ronald McDonald House, Brenda uplifts the people around her.  This commitment will be a benchmark for our student-athletes for decades to come." 

"Endowment funds are important because they can grow and provide support for its designated purpose in perpetuity," said Jared Bruggeman, Athletics Director at MSSU.  "When an endowment fund is created, it also creates a permanent source of support for MSSU athletics and leaves a lasting legacy from the donor."

"The Women's Basketball Program at Missouri Southern has always been special to me," said Pitts-Jennings.  "There were many great opportunities that opened up for me upon receiving an athletic scholarship, without which I probably would not have had the opportunity to go to college.  The experience I had as a Lady Lion has given me some of the greatest memories of my life, which included getting to play in the national championship game as a senior.  The program taught me so much about faith in God, setting goals, teamwork, confidence, respect, commitment, handling success and failure, loyalty and hard work."     

"This contribution is all about opening up possibilities for more athletes to come and play basketball.  I believe in Coach Mitts and her staff and the success they stand for on and off the court.  I wanted to give back to a program that gave me so much.  I hope to provide the same opportunity to a young woman that I was provided. I also hope each young woman at the end of each day can take what she has learned from this opportunity, look back and say as I did, "I gave it my all whether it was on the court, in the classroom or to help a friend." 

Pitts-Jennings played for the Lady Lions from 1978-1982.  She was a second-team selection to the 1982 NAIA Championships All-Tournament Team and won the NAIA Championships Hustle Award that same year.  She is third all-time at Missouri Southern in assists with 387 and also third in games played with 117.  Her 162 assists in the '81-'82 season ranks second all-time at Southern and her 89 steals that same year ranks fourth all-time.  

Those wishing to join Pitts-Jennings with a contribution of their own can contact Jared Bruggeman in the MSSU Athletics Department by calling 417-625-9317.