UVM Women's Athletics Celebrates Endowment on National Girls and Women in Sports Day

On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, University of Vermont athletics announced a new endowment fund thanks to the Hynes family. The Hynes Family Women’s Sports Fund is a $250,000 endowment that will support women’s sports at UVM.

The endowment was announced at the UVM women’s basketball game on Saturday, and several female athletes and leadership at the school met at center stage to hold banners and signs celebrating the new endowment fund. 

During that on-court celebration, the UVM associate director of athletics, Cathy Osmers Rahill, said, “We thank the donors for this generous gift and look forward to putting the new resources to good use.” 

Throughout the entire game, UVM arranged for local girls in the community to shadow full-time athletics staff to encourage their participation and interest in sports. Girls worked with the announcers, ticket staff, and marketing department professionals.

The endowment’s namesake, Mary Hynes, was a 1980 graduate of UVM. She played field hockey and lacrosse while attending the school. "I remember fondly my time playing women's sports at UVM—practices with stunning mountain views, wonderful team camaraderie, and making lifelong friends," Mary Hynes told The Victory Club. "We establish this fund with the hope of inspiring and supporting future generations of young UVM women in pursuing their athletic dreams!"

University president Patricia Prelock told The Victory Club, “On behalf of the entire university, I want to thank Mary Hynes for this very special investment in UVM Athletics. Investing in the success of our female student-athletes means more than supporting their performance on the field—it's about providing opportunities, fostering leadership, and empowering them to excel in every aspect of their lives. This endowment ensures that future generations of women at UVM will have the resources they need to compete at the highest level, both in sports and beyond."

UVM offers nine women’s sports, and those teams have won seven America East Championships in the past five years. In 2024, the UVM women’s field hockey team and the women’s lacrosse team both competed in their respective NCAA Tournaments.