A Legacy of Excellence & Giving

It’s one for the books; Robert Montgomery Knight is the most successful men’s basketball coach in NCAA history. Texas Tech is now forever linked to one of the true “greats” in intercollegiate sports. For all of us at Texas Tech University Libraries, we couldn’t be prouder. From day one Coach Knight has made it resoundingly clear that—besides the game of basketball—libraries are profoundly important to him.

In 2001, with thousands of jubilant Red Raider fans in the backdrop, Coach announced to the world that he and his wife, Karen, would make their first seed gift to the Libraries in the amount of $10,000. Since that time Coach Knight has continuously waved the banner for TTU Libraries, teaching Texas Tech students, alumni and basketball fans everywhere on the importance of supporting academics with a philanthropic gift to the library.

For the past six years the Hall of Fame coach proclaims everywhere that he goes that a gift to the University Libraries is one that helps students, faculty, and the university as a whole. Literally “passing the hat” at alumni and Red Raider events across U.S., Coach has put the full-court press on fund raising, helping build the fund he and Karen started. Thanks to gifts of every size from fans and admirers from every walk of life, the Coach Knight Library Fund has grown to $250,000 on the way to the couple’s $1 million goal.

Some people may ask, “Why the library?” Coach’s response is simple: “Because there is no such thing as a great university without a great library. Truly great universities produce great graduates who become great leaders and who make the world a better place.”

Would you like your name to be linked with this moment in history? If so, we would love to talk with you about supporting the Coach Knight Library Fund. You may make your tax deductible give online now by visiting (link to online form here) or contact us at: coachknightlibraryfund@library.ttu.edu or: 806.742-4388.

If you would like to receive our Coach Knight Fund brochure or want to be included in our mailing list, please let us know. Thank you for supporting the Texas Tech University Libraries.

Jane Piercy
Development Officer