The Radford University Athletics Department and the Highlander Club announce the launch of the Highlander Basketball Shield Club, an opportunity for Radford supporters to make a lasting impact on the Radford men’s and women’s basketball programs.
With a combined 1,530 wins, 13 Big South Conference regular season titles, 13 Big South Conference tournament titles, and seven NCAA Tournament appearances, the Radford basketball program has established a rich tradition of excellence over the decades.
The Highlander Basketball Shield Club will build upon that legacy by securing gifts and pledges to support both the men’s and women’s programs. Additional funds will be utilized to enhance shared facilities and supplement existing program resources for nutrition, travel, recruiting, and player development.
“Our women’s basketball program has a strong tradition of success and we expect to compete for championships on an annual basis,” said Radford head women’s basketball coach Mike McGuire. “As I enter my ninth season as head coach, I can honestly say that the support and contributions by our fans, donors, and friends of the program over the last eight years has elevated our program and helped us win three championships in the last five years and play in the postseason five of the last seven years. With that being said, it is a difficult time in college athletics right now, so any contributions made to our basketball programs helps us provide the type of experience and environment for our student-athletes to be successful on and off the court. Any type of support makes a huge difference in our program.”
“I am excited about the Highlander Shield Club and the impact it will bring to both of our programs,” said Radford head men’s basketball coach Darris Nichols. “The people that support the club will be a huge part of the success of our student-athletes on the court and in the classroom. The landscape of college basketball is changing, and the resources that the Shield Club provides will be beneficial in sustaining Radford basketball success for years to come.”
Through the Shield Club, Radford Athletics will seek recurring annual gifts – pledged over four years – that will help the men’s and women’s programs achieve their championship goals. Each Highlander Basketball Shield Club contributor will have access to unique annual experiences with the men’s and women’s basketball programs as well.
To get this new initiative off to a tremendous start, three loyal Radford Athletics supporters have generously committed to the Shield Club and have made lead gifts in support of the Highlanders:
- Mike Williams ’93, his wife, Patti, and Steve Orndorff. Mike Williams is CEO and co-founder of English Meadows Senior Living Communities.
- Charlene Curtis ’76, Radford University Hall of Fame basketball player; former women’s basketball coach at Radford, Temple University, and Wake Forest University; retired Atlantic Coast Conference Supervisor of Women’s Basketball Officials.
- R. James Toussaint, M.D. and his wife, Sara. Dr. Toussaint is a world-renowned board-certified orthopedic surgeon in Gainesville, Fla.
