A transformational $1.5 million gift from David M. Brush, chair of the Penn Soccer Executive Board and an Athletic Overseer, and his wife Karen Clark Brush, provides financial support to the women’s soccer program and its head coach through the creation of the Douglas N. Brush Head Coach of Women’s Soccer Endowed Fund.
The gift marks the first head coach endowment to be made since the public launch of Penn Athletics’ Game Onward Campaign in April, and will ensure the future sustainability and success of Penn soccer.
“David Brush has been an incredible supporter and advocate of Penn Athletics over the years, and we are thrilled that his family’s name will be forever linked to the soccer program,” says Director of Athletics and Recreation M. Grace Calhoun. “Growing our athletics endowment is a top priority of the Game Onward Campaign, and David’s commitment to endow the head women’s soccer coach position will enable us to remain competitive in the Ivy League and beyond for many years to come.”
Brush, a former University Trustee who currently resides in Madrid, Spain, was a member of the varsity men’s lacrosse team and has been involved at the University since his time on campus.
Upon graduation from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1982, Brush moved to London to head Bankers Trust global real estate group and immediately fell in love with soccer. An avid fan of the game, he became chair of the Penn Soccer Executive Board in 2013, and has worked tirelessly to grow and expand the base of support for the program.
His gift will honor not only his passion for Penn soccer, but also honor his father, Douglas, who coached women’s sports on Long Island in the 1970s.
“Karen and I are delighted to support the soccer program at Penn through our endowment of the Douglas N. Brush Head Coach of Women’s Soccer position,” Brush says. “During our almost 20 years in London and Madrid, we have both become great fans of the beautiful game, and the opportunity to combine our love of the game with our love for Penn is a great privilege. That privilege is made even more special because, through the naming of this position, we also have the opportunity to honor my father, who was a pioneer in supporting women’s sports in the 1970s. He was a committed advocate of Title IX who, after more than 20 years coaching the boys’ team, spent the final years of his coaching career as the girls’ head track coach at Huntington High School.”
Nicole Van Dyke, head coach of the women’s soccer team, will be the first to assume the position.
A celebration to honor Brush will take place on campus this fall during the upcoming women’s soccer season.
