Devoted Buff Fan Leaves a Lasting Impression

During her retirement, Louise Bennett Reed could be counted on to cheer enthusiastically for CU’s football team from the stands. A stalwart supporter of Boulder athletics, she even had a designated parking spot at Folsom Field for football games and would be escorted to her box seat by a basketball player at basketball games.

But it wasn’t just her familiar face in the crowd that made Louise such an important fan. Her support of the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the football team ran deep. Louise volunteered as an academic advisor and career counselor for the Buffs, inspiring countless student athletes as they pushed themselves on the field and in the classroom.

When she passed away at 103, Louise left a lasting legacy honoring the student-athletes she had cheered on. Her bequest and charitable trusts totaling more than $4.75 million will support scholarships for student-athletes, making Reed the largest individual donor to the CUBoulder Athletics department. The endowed Louise Bennett Reed Scholarship Fund supports as many as 10
full scholarships each year in perpetuity.

Cheerleader, mentor, academic advisor, benefactor—Louise Bennett Reed’s contributions will long be remembered.