DENVER – The University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation received its largest gift in the department's history from the Joy Burns estate, the Division announced on Thursday.
"Joy's tireless support and advocacy for the Division of Athletics and Recreation, and women student-athletes specifically, has left an indelible mark on our programs," Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation
Karlton Creech said. "The impact of this new endowment will have a remarkable effect upon future generations of women student-athletes and our entire division. We are thrilled to be able to honor and celebrate her legacy forever as one of the true Pioneers of women's athletics in the country."
Burns was a tireless supporter of student achievement and provided strategic leadership to help the University of Denver prepare for a changing future. One of the longest-serving members of the Board of Trustees in the University's history, Burns was the first woman to chair the board at DU. Burns' generosity throughout her life and
following her passing in 2020 has impacted many programs and initiatives at the heart of the DU experience, including athletics, scholarships for women, real estate education and much more.
"Joy's impact has been immeasurable in many ways," Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer
Stu Halsall said. "We forget the time when the University of Denver was in real trouble, and she put her heart and soul into changing that for us, which ultimately led to the Ritchie Center being built and getting us to where we are today. She was about commitment, hard work and excellence, and I like to think every day we try to deliver and achieve that in what we are doing."
Burns was inducted into the DU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997, the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 1998, the Colorado Tourism and Travel Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.
To recognize Joy Burns' legacy, the head women's gymnastics coach will be forever named the Joy S. Burns Head Women's Gymnastics Coach. This is DU's fourth named head coaching position, adding to a list that includes hockey, men's lacrosse and men's soccer. In February of 2018, DU established the Richard and Kitzia Goodman Head Hockey Coach endowment. In February of 2020, a group of players, parents, alums and friends of the program kick-started the William G. Tierney Men's Lacrosse Head Coach endowment. Finally this summer, Denver announced the Jack and Sheila Weinberg Men's Soccer Head Coach Endowed Fund.
Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart, who is wrapping up her 24
th season with the program this spring, will be the first coach to carry the Burns' name in her title. Since arriving in 1999, Kutcher-Rinehart has led Denver to 23-consecutive appearances at NCAA Regionals and five NCAA Nationals team berths. Among her many accomplishments is Denver's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championship Final (2019) where DU finished a record-breaking fourth overall. In her career, Kutcher-Rinehart has had at least one individual qualify for NCAA Nationals 21 consecutive times -- including two NCAA individual national champions: Lynnzee Brown on floor exercise in 2019 and Nina McGee on floor exercise in 2016. In 2019, she was named the WCGA National Head Coach of the Year.
A two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, Kutcher-Rinehart guided the Pioneers to their first Big 12 Conference title a year ago. The six-time North Central Region Coach of the Year has guided the Pioneers to a top-25 grade point average nationally six times in the last eight years, including the top GPA among top-10 programs in 2020-21 and being the only program in the country to finish in the top 10 academically and athletically in 2019-20. In total, Denver's student-athletes have earned 119 WCGA scholastic honors since 2006-07.
"I can't even talk about Denver Gymnastics without mentioning Joy Burns," Kutcher-Rinehart said. "That's how instrumental she has been to the growth and evolution of this program from the very beginning. Joy's legacy and impact is felt on the entire University of Denver campus, everywhere you look. I was constantly inspired by her drive, her compassion and her generosity. I want to keep Joy close to my heart. She is a role model, and I will always value her commitment to integrity and excellence. This gift, this endowment and her legacy will impact women in athletics and gymnasts for years to come."
The Joy Burns Estate gift not only impacts Athletics and Recreation but will have a tremendous impact on other areas on campus as well, strengthening multiple priorities she championed during her leadership at the University.
"The University of Denver owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Joy," Chancellor
Jeremy Haefner said. "Her impact on this institution is both significant and deeply meaningful, and this estate gift builds on an already well-established and astonishing legacy of vision and support. The University was fortunate to have such a committed and passionate partner in Joy Burns."
Fans interested in making a donation to the Division of Athletics and Recreation can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
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