Western Kentucky University Athletics announced Oct. 28 that WKU men’s basketball coach Hank Plona and Hilltopper Athletic Foundation members Jim and Eva Martens have committed a combined $200,000 in matching gifts for the program in Bowling Green. The announcement said each has pledged up to $100,000 to match gifts through Feb. 28, 2027.
According to the announcement, gifts can be made through WKU’s online giving form, and supporters can ask about the match by calling the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation at (270) 745-5321 or emailing HAF@wku.edu. The campaign’s fundraising progress is available on WKUSports.com under the men’s basketball page’s “More Links” section, the announcement said.
WKU’s season opener against Morehead State is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena, with a live stream on ESPN+, according to the announcement. It said men’s basketball season tickets start at $75 per seat, plus an additional Hilltopper Athletic Foundation donation; tickets are available by phone at 1-800-5-BIGRED or at the WKU ticket office at Diddle Arena.
