MSU Handball Receives Million Dollar Endowment
Hall of Fame Handball Program Receives One Million Dollar Endowment
Gift from the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education, Inc. was given in honor of Dr. Thomas H. Burnett
May 16, 2024
The Missouri State University Handball program is beyond thrilled to announce the generous donation in the sum of $1,000,000 from the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education, Inc. The gift was presented in honor of the late founder and hall of fame coach, Dr. Tommy Burnett. Doug Randolph, of the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education states, “We want to thank Missouri State for this opportunity to establish this endowment for Tommy Burnett. It is our honor to do so. Tommy Burnett, in our opinion, has been one of the great leaders in promoting and supporting the game of handball for more than three decades.”
Doug Randolph of Lubbock, Texas is a devoted handball player and among the sport's most passionate supporters. For him, handball has been a source of fun, friendship and fitness for much of his adult life. Doug believes that finding handball—a physical activity that he loves was life-enhancing and, perhaps, even life-saving. Doug's love for the game was shared by fellow handball enthusiast, Dr. Tommy Burnett, who cultivated the sport on the campus of Missouri State University since 1987. The MSU Handball program will honor Doug Randolph at their annual Bear Bash handball tournament November 8-10, with a special reception Saturday, November 9th with details to follow.
Current head coach of the handball program, Christian Madsen was overwhelmed with the news of the donation. “This will secure the longevity of the program. There is 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. We are grateful for the generosity that Doug and his foundation have shown and what they do for the game of handball.”
Faculty team advisor, and Tommy Burnett’s daughter, Jeni Hopkins agrees wholeheartedly, “This donation is incredible. With this funding and the leadership of Coach Madsen and the entire coaching staff, along with leaders on the team, the legacy of the program is secured. As a family member and as an alum, we are very grateful for Mr. Randolph and the generosity of his foundation to Missouri State.”
In 1987, Dr. Tommy Burnett started what would become one of the most successful collegiate handball programs in the country. Missouri State University has now captured a total of eight (8) Men's team titles, eighteen (18) Women's team titles, and the Combined team (Men and Women) have won the National Collegiate Championships fifteen (15) times since 1993. After multiple national titles, All-Americans, and championships the program has flourished. The entire program is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (2011) and the women’s team was inducted again in 2021. The handball team resides at the Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts at Missouri State University. Dr. Burnett passed away in July of 2021, but the legacy and program continue.
For more information: ChristianMadsen@MissouriState.edu or 402-871-8081 JeniHopkins@MissouriState.edu or 417-777-0631
