The NCAA started a pilot program three years ago granting 12 Division-I schools and two conferences financial aid to improve their programs. Institutions are required to send in applications requesting a certain amount of money and within the proposal, the institution explains where the dollars will be spent.

In its first year of applying for the grant, the University of Dayton women's basketball team received every penny it asked for and more.

Head coach Jim Jabir and the athletic department looked to Megan Jahrling and senior associate athletic director Dave Harper last spring to write the grant. Jahrling, who spent countless hours working on the proposal, works with external relations in the marketing department at UD Arena.

"I spent months working on this thing, and after a while, I just referred to it as my baby," Jahrling said.

Jahrling detailed in the proposal that UD has created such a strong program, and they could really use extra funding to increase awareness, exposure and attendance. More than half of the money received will be spent on video shoots in order to promote the girls and encourage future recruitment in the community.

"We really have a good product on the court, and we want to showcase that talent to everyone here and nationally," she said.

Out of the 88 schools who applied for this grant, only 12 received some aid in the end. Jabir feels that along with the proposal written by Jahrling and Harper, his team's recent success proves the opportunity this institution has to become a national spectacle.

"There's definitely some momentum after advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament last year," Jabir said. "But the proposal was masterful; a lot of people worked really hard to put that together."

Jabir and his team look forward to using last year's success and the new funding to get better every day and return to the tournament. The entire coaching staff is looking upon the seniors on the team to provide leadership and guidance to the younger players who are new to the UD tradition.

"We're definitely overwhelmed to receive this grant," starting senior guard Kristen Daugherty said. "It shows that what we do on and off the court is being recognized on a national level."

This grant will prove to be a vital stepping stone not only for the women's basketball team but also all throughout the athletic department. Assistant athletic director, Megan Winner, expressed her gratitude to the NCAA for recognizing Dayton.

"To have our name out on the national level will obviously help out Coach Jabir and the girls, but don't be surprised when you see the impact it will have throughout the university," she said.