University of the Pacific’s women’s basketball team has received major support through a gift honoring two of its biggest fans.

Local philanthropists John and June Rogers committed $1 million to name the women’s basketball team suite in Pacific’s planned student-athlete and sports medicine center. The Janet Rogers and Bev LaBelle Women’s Basketball Suite will recognize the couple’s daughter, Pacific Regent Janet Rogers, and her wife.

“Janet and Bev have given so much to Pacific Athletics, from their time and resources and also from their hearts,” John Rogers said. “June and I wanted to celebrate them with a gift that not only serves future teams but also ensures that the players will always know their names, their story, and how deeply they care about this program.”

The student-athlete and sports medicine center will provide training, rehabilitative and nutritional care for more than 300 student-athletes across 17 Division I programs. It will offer hands-on learning opportunities for students in Pacific’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program, the only accredited program of its kind in Northern California.

The new facility also will house a study area, event and gathering spaces for all student-athletes, and significantly upgraded locker rooms for the basketball and volleyball teams.

The center is one of many student-centered projects John and June Rogers have supported at Pacific. The couple has made significant gifts to the William Knox Holt Memorial Library and Learning Center, the Military and Veteran Student Center, and most recently to Manor Hall, which will provide housing for student veterans beginning fall 2025.

The Rogers also have endowed a scholarship for Pacific students aspiring to work in education, which has benefitted more than 80 recipients since 2016.

"John and June believe deeply in Pacific’s student-centric focus and have made extraordinary investments to advance that mission,” said President Christopher Callahan. “Their latest generous gift underscores their commitment to student success while honoring Janet and Bev and their great support of our exceptional women’s basketball program."

Janet Rogers, a retired registered nurse, has served on Pacific’s Board of Regents since 2021. She and LaBelle created the first endowed scholarship for students in Pacific’s Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing program.

Rogers and LaBelle frequently attend Tiger basketball games and support the program philanthropically. They participate in #WomenSupportingWomen, First Lady Jean Callahan’s initiative inviting women leaders from Pacific and the Stockton community to network with the team and attend games together.

"Bev and I love getting to know the student-athletes and actively demonstrating that we believe in them,” Rogers said.

“We were completely surprised and deeply touched by Mom and Dad’s gift. Particularly with Bev facing health challenges, we’re grateful that this gift will show future athletes we’re invested in them and rooting for their success, even if we can’t be there to encourage them personally,” she continued.

Head Women’s Basketball Coach Bradley Davis, entering his 20th year with the team, adds that Rogers and LaBelle are role models for the team as much as they are encouragers.

“Janet and Bev are living examples of leadership, strength, passion and success,” Davis said. “They are what our student-athletes are striving and working to be, and when students are validated and supported by leaders who are just that—what they aspire to be—it’s so impactful.”

To learn how to support the Student-Athlete and Sports Medicine Center, contact Scott Biedermann at 209.946.2166 or sbiedermann@pacific.edu.