Handball program at MSU gets $1M donation

The handball program at Missouri State University has been awarded a $1 million donation.

The Randolph Foundation for Higher Education Inc. made the donation in honor of Tommy Burnett, the late founder and coach of the handball program, according to a news release. The Lubbock, Texas-based foundation provides endowments, grants, scholarships and donations for educational causes, and founder Doug Randolph is a handball player.

“This will secure the longevity of the program,” said Christian Madsen, head coach of the MSU handball program, in the release. “There’s such a value to club sports and what they do for students on campus. Handball has impacted hundreds of Missouri State University alumni and will continue to impact students in the future."

Burnett, who died in 2021, started MSU's handball program in 1987. The program has won eight men’s team titles, 18 women’s team titles and 15 combined team National Collegiate Championships, according to the release.

The latest donation announcement comes shortly after MSU this week unveiled a $5 million donation from local attorney and alum Tom Strong to support the university's athletics transition to Conference USA.