
Marilyn Bohl Establishes Endowment
2/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Feb. 26, 2008
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Text provided by Jackie Anguili, CSULB University Relations and Development
A successful software developer and college-textbook author, Marilyn Bohl knows her way around a computer. But these days, the retired technology executive is more likely to be found studying a scoreboard than a keyboard.
An avid supporter of the Long Beach State men's basketball team, Ms. Bohl spends countless hours cheering for the black-and-gold, often in the company of her twin sister, Arline Walter. You might say that basketball is in their blood: both sisters played high school basketball in Marble Rock, IA, where their father, Walter F. "Bill" Bohl, coached a local basketball team. In fact, gifts from the sisters spring-boarded the transformation of the gymnasium where both played basketball into the Walter F. Bohl Community Center -- a heavily used facility named in their father's honor. Now a Southern California resident, Ms. Bohl attends every 49ers home game, many team practices, and most road games. "She's one of our biggest supporters," says an appreciative Coach Dan Monson. "She inspires all of us in 49ers basketball to work harder."
It turns out that those feelings of gratitude and admiration are mutual. Inspired by the energy and dedication she saw on the court and motivated by a strong desire to give back and to help young people from all walks of life achieve their personal goals, Ms. Bohl recently decided to take her support of the men's basketball team to a new level, pledging $200,000 to establish the Marilyn Bohl Endowed Athletic Scholarship at Long Beach State.
The fund provides much-needed financial assistance to 49er men's basketball scholarship athletes attending summer-session courses at California State University, Long Beach. Members of this year's 49er men's basketball team who attended summer sessions in 2007 were the first to benefit from this gift. What is more, because the gift is structured as an endowment, it will positively impact the men's basketball program at Long Beach State for generations to come.
In an era of declining government support for higher education and rising competition for top scholar-athletes, the role of private philanthropy in building a vital college athletics program -- one that connects campus and community, cultivates high ethical standards, and shapes the leaders of tomorrow -- cannot be overstated. "It really makes all the difference to a growing program like ours," notes Coach Monson.
For Ms. Bohl, the creation of an endowed scholarship represents an opportunity to support the Long Beach State men's basketball program while expanding access to higher education and helping deserving scholar-athletes in one of the country's most diverse communities realize their cherished dreams.
"Education is the key to long-term success," Ms. Bohl says. "By helping young people to get an education, I'm both saying thanks for the blessings I've received and giving young people the kind of help that lasts a lifetime."