Karen, Doug & Linnaea
This month we invite you to follow along as we share the stories of some of our incredible donors and how their gift to McMaster has made an impact on campus. This week we share the story of Karen Martin ’79 and her husband, Doug, and their support of student-athletes at McMaster. Their generosity has meant a lot to the teams they have supported, especially the women’s basketball team, as shared by Linnaea Harper.
How did your support of the women’s basketball program begin and how has it evolved over the years?
We started to support the McMaster women’s basketball team very informally around 2008. When the team was playing away from home, we would provide some money to supplement their meal two or three times a season. At the time, the men had the Courtside Club and the women did not. When Lori, a former manager for the team, began working in the Alumni Office we set up automatic monthly donations which formalized our support and we became more readily available to support the team when needed. When Mac Athletes Care began developing a day camp where children from less-fortunate families could become more acquainted with the city of Hamilton and McMaster, we were approached for a donation. We were provided with the details of the success of the project and were given photos and feedback after the event which reinforced our interest in the program. Since that time, we have continued to support Mac women’s basketball and Mac Athletes Care while also adding our support to Mac men’s volleyball and the Bertrand Russell Collection. At no time did anyone ask us to give more for a team and appreciation was consistently expressed for what we did.
What has the relationship with the women’s basketball team meant to you and Doug?
We are watching student-athletes play basketball at a competitive level under the leadership of coach Teresa Burns, all whilst getting their degrees from McMaster. Invariably, we have the opportunity to meet the players, their parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents (which we enjoy very much), but the best part occurs when they come back to visit or we hear how they are doing in life. They are teachers, accountants, respiratory therapists, counsellors, physicians to mention a few careers. Many of the former players are now coaching kids to play basketball themselves. What is not to like? We are supporting student-athletes becoming successful in life.
Karen Martin, BA Psychology ’79 and Doug Martin
As a student-athlete competing at such a high level, what does it mean to you (and your teammates) to have the support of donors and community people like Karen and Doug Martin?
Karen and Doug Martin are very special people. It goes a whole lot deeper than these individuals showing up to games (almost every game, might I add). Throughout my five years as a Marauder, I have gained a friendship with these two that truly lies close to my heart. After each game, you can find me having a conversation with Karen and Doug not only about how the game went, but how my life outside of basketball is going as well. As an athlete competing at such a high level, the family atmosphere that Karen and Doug provide to the student-athletes keeps us grounded and reminds us of why we push ourselves every day. Karen and Doug care just as much about the people we are becoming off the court as they do about our performance on the court.
There have been a number of occasions where I have asked Karen specifically for help around post-game meals and she, without hesitation, has always been there for me. It‘s a special thing to have someone that you can count on for support like that. She is very approachable, giving, and without a doubt one of the kindest people I know.
Doug is someone that you want to talk to. He is always around post-game to converse with and tells inspirational stories that, in some way or another, are applicable to your life at that moment. He always has us in mind and gives amazing advice.
Doug and Karen Martin are one of the many pillars of support to our program and support is what helps us young women flourish. There are not enough words that I can say to show what they mean to our team.
Linnaea Harper, Level IV Kinesiology
To make your gift and have an infinite impact at McMaster click here.
If you have any comments or questions, please contact giving@mcmaster.ca.
