Lansing Sun

Nicki Harris and the late J. Ira Harris, who pursued equality in women’s sports during her life, donated $3 million to the University of Michigan Athletics program last week.

The endowment by the Harris family comes after the women’s team, led by Kim Barnes Arico, began the season 10-1 and made the NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen.  

Kim Barnes Arico will now be known as J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Women's Basketball Coach, according to the university.

"I am honored to hold the title of J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Women's Basketball Coach," Arico said. "The Harris family's generosity in supporting Michigan Athletics is amazing, and I am especially grateful to serve in the first endowed coaching position for a Michigan women's sport."

According to the school, the Harris family donation comes on the heels of the women’s basketball program continuing to flourish during the 2021-22 season, with the team spending seven straight weeks in the top ten of the Associated Press women's basketball poll,  along with being ranked number four — the program’s highest ranking ever.

"We believe that women's athletics leads to other people recognizing the role that women's athletics has at the University of Michigan," J. Ira Harris said prior to his passing. "In making this gift to women's basketball, we recognize the value that the program adds to Michigan Athletics and hope that others will share in our enthusiasm for Michigan women's sports.

Harris added that Arico was worthy of holding the formal title linked to the endowment.

The university reported that since the passing of Title IX legislation, the school has won 32 national championships in women’s sports.

The school also stated that the Harris family have long donated to the school’s sporting programs and also donated $14 million in 2014 that gave current football coach Jim Harbuagh the formal title as the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Position.