BRESNAHAN’S BEQUEST TO SUPPORT FUTURE PIONEERS

“The day I walked out of William’s Fieldhouse with my diploma, I vowed at that moment that I would make a donation to this university because of my experience,” says Kathy Bresnahan, ’80, who played volleyball and basketball for four years, ran track for one year, and was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame 1999. Now retired, the health and physical education major enjoyed a 39-year career as an educator and coach.

As part of her thoughtful estate planning, Kathy has made a bequest in her will—in honor of Dr. Patricia Collins—to continue her support of UW-Platteville beyond her lifetime. “I knew that I wanted to honor Dr. Collins for her lifelong fight to allow athletic opportunities for female athletes,” Kathy says. “This was long before Title 9, and she was a driving force to ensure equitable treatment for all athletes.”

In 2018 Kathy did a book signing on campus for her book The Miracle Season, and in 2019 she organized the first-ever volleyball/basketball reunion. She also runs the Live Like Line Foundation, whose mission is: “to provide funding to students in the Iowa City Community School District who require assistance to overcome a barrier to full participation in school or school events.”

“I truly received a first-rate education that fully prepared me to be a fairly successful teacher and coach,” Kathy says. “With mentors like Dr. Collins, Jennifer Berna, and Barb Gates, I was inspired to reach out to students—especially young women—to recognize their value as leaders and strong female role models. I have been fortunate enough to win some state and national recognition for coaching and teaching, and I directly attribute it to my educational and athletic experiences at UW-P.”

Kathy chose a bequest because “it will be easy for my estate to take care of,” and she encourages others to consider the ways they could leave their legacies to benefit future Pioneers. “I know from running the Foundation how vital fundraising is to maintaining the mission of an organization,” she concludes. “Even small donations make a huge difference and ease financial burdens.”