Indiana University Athletics
Wilkinson's Newest Donation Honors Family
10/3/2016 2:15:00 PM | Varsity Club
Jay Wilkinson has a connection with Indiana University that spans well beyond receiving his education.
In Bloomington, Wilkinson met lifelong friends, developed his passions and launched his career in business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in public affairs in 1985 and was a commissioned U.S. Army officer through the IU Army ROTC.
But perhaps most importantly of all, Indiana was where Jay met his wife, Nancy. She graduated one year after he did, earning a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunications from the College of Arts and Sciences before the two of them began their life together after meeting at IU.
(10/1/2016) Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship
Nancy passed away at the age of 51 last year, 29 years after marrying Jay. She was the mother to three children, Samantha, Ryan and Alex.
To honor his late wife, Jay committed to endowing a scholarship that will benefit current and future IU student-athletes. The Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship will be given annually to at least one female varsity athlete with no other restrictions as Jay wanted to keep the criteria as open as possible.
The Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship qualifies for the historic gift-matching program as part of the IU bicentennial campaign. For the duration of the campaign, named and endowed athletic scholarships will be match eligible under certain conditions. The income matching program allows donors to increase the impact of their gift, maximize their investment and enhance the lives of IU's student-athletes for years to come. "After my wife passed, the family came together and felt like we wanted to do something in her name," Jay said. "It's just a way I could honor her."
Jay is no stranger to giving back to Indiana, having made multiple large donations over the years.
His most public donation to date came in 2012 when he provided operating resources and fund equipment and training needs at what is now known as the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in the North End Zone of Memorial Stadium.
"The Wilk" has given all of Indiana's varsity athletes a place for weight training and cardio exercising. The facility has over 150 pieces of equipment, including more than 11 tons of dumbbells and north of 40 tons of free weights.
"It's rewarding to see so many athletes affected in one way or another by it," Jay said. That impact will only continue throughout the years as athletes continue to make their way to compete in Bloomington across all 24 varsity sports.
With time, Jay hopes the same will be said for the Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship. Through his latest gift, Jay's donation will carry on Nancy's name all while giving back to the university that gave him his start.
"The way we established the scholarship, it'll go on forever," Jay said, adding there's no way of predicting today how many students will be helped by the gift.
Nancy's legacy will live on to change countless lives by providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities through IU Athletics, starting this year with Tyra Buss. Currently a junior on the women's basketball team, Tyra was named First Team All-Big Ten during her sophomore season. As a woman with great character on and off the court, she is more than deserving.
"That's a pretty cool way to honor my wife."
In Bloomington, Wilkinson met lifelong friends, developed his passions and launched his career in business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in public affairs in 1985 and was a commissioned U.S. Army officer through the IU Army ROTC.
But perhaps most importantly of all, Indiana was where Jay met his wife, Nancy. She graduated one year after he did, earning a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunications from the College of Arts and Sciences before the two of them began their life together after meeting at IU.
Nancy passed away at the age of 51 last year, 29 years after marrying Jay. She was the mother to three children, Samantha, Ryan and Alex.
To honor his late wife, Jay committed to endowing a scholarship that will benefit current and future IU student-athletes. The Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship will be given annually to at least one female varsity athlete with no other restrictions as Jay wanted to keep the criteria as open as possible.
The Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship qualifies for the historic gift-matching program as part of the IU bicentennial campaign. For the duration of the campaign, named and endowed athletic scholarships will be match eligible under certain conditions. The income matching program allows donors to increase the impact of their gift, maximize their investment and enhance the lives of IU's student-athletes for years to come. "After my wife passed, the family came together and felt like we wanted to do something in her name," Jay said. "It's just a way I could honor her."
Jay is no stranger to giving back to Indiana, having made multiple large donations over the years.
His most public donation to date came in 2012 when he provided operating resources and fund equipment and training needs at what is now known as the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center in the North End Zone of Memorial Stadium.
"The Wilk" has given all of Indiana's varsity athletes a place for weight training and cardio exercising. The facility has over 150 pieces of equipment, including more than 11 tons of dumbbells and north of 40 tons of free weights.
"It's rewarding to see so many athletes affected in one way or another by it," Jay said. That impact will only continue throughout the years as athletes continue to make their way to compete in Bloomington across all 24 varsity sports.
With time, Jay hopes the same will be said for the Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship. Through his latest gift, Jay's donation will carry on Nancy's name all while giving back to the university that gave him his start.
"The way we established the scholarship, it'll go on forever," Jay said, adding there's no way of predicting today how many students will be helped by the gift.
Nancy's legacy will live on to change countless lives by providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities through IU Athletics, starting this year with Tyra Buss. Currently a junior on the women's basketball team, Tyra was named First Team All-Big Ten during her sophomore season. As a woman with great character on and off the court, she is more than deserving.
"That's a pretty cool way to honor my wife."
FB: Lee Beebe Jr. - Spring Practice No. 3
Wednesday, April 01
FB: Carter Smith - Spring Practice No. 3
Wednesday, April 01
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference (3/26/26)
Thursday, March 26
Indiana Football: The Standard Episode 1 - Back to Square One
Tuesday, March 24