Gift creates endowed Vermont women's basketball coach job

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A Shelburne couple has made the largest gift ever to a women's athletic program at the University of Vermont.

Betty and Paul Mayer's donation will permanently endow a women's basketball head coach position. The university did not disclose the amount of the gift but said it allows UVM to join a short list of universities with endowed positions for women's basketball coaches.

The university says coach Alisa Kresge is now the first coach in the America East conference to hold such a position.

The couple said they recognize the need for parity in women's athletics and hope the fund will help the university develop a program of national prominence.