The Randolph Foundation for Higher Education, Inc. has made a $1 million donation to the Missouri State University Handball program in honor of the late founder and hall of fame coach Dr. Tommy Burnett.
“We want to thank Missouri State for this opportunity to establish this endowment for Tommy Burnett,” said Doug Randolph, of the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education.
“It’s 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.”
Jeni Hopkins, faculty team advisor and Burnett’s daughter, said Randolph, of Lubbock, Texas, is a devoted handball player and among the sport’s most passionate supporters.
“Handball has been a source of fun, friendship and fitness for much of Doug’s adult life,” said Hopkins. “Doug believes that finding handball — a physical activity that he loves — was life-enhancing and, perhaps, even lifesaving.”
“Doug’s love for the game was shared by fellow handball enthusiast, Tommy Burnett, who cultivated the sport on the Missouri State campus since 1987.”
The MSU Handball program will honor Randolph at their annual Bear Bash handball tournament Nov. 8-10, with a special reception Nov. 9.
Christian Madsen, current head coach of the handball program, was overwhelmed with the news of the donation.
“This will secure the longevity of the program,” said Madsen. “There’s 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’re grateful for the generosity that Doug and his foundation have shown and what they do for the game of handball.”
Hopkins agrees wholeheartedly.
“This donation is incredible,” said Hopkins. “With this funding and the leadership of Coach Madsen and the coaching staff, along with leaders on the team, the legacy of the program is secured. As a family member and as an alum, we’re so appreciative for Mr. Randolph and the generosity of his foundation to Missouri State.”
About the handball team
In 1987, Burnett started what would become one of the most successful collegiate handball programs in the country. Missouri State has captured eight men’s team titles, 18 women’s team titles and the combined team has won the National Collegiate Championships 15 times since 1993.
After multiple national titles, All-Americans and championships, the program has flourished. The 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.
Burnett passed away in July 2021, but the legacy and program continue.