Carlin gifts $500,000 to CSUB athletics

Bakersfield native and former corporate executive establishes Women’s Excellence Fund

By California State University, Bakersfield

January 21^st, 2021

Shelly Carlin, a successful philanthropist and former chief human resources officer of Motorola, has committed $500,000 over five years, in support of women’s athletics at California State University, Bakersfield. Carlin’s gift establishes the transformative Athletics Director’s Women’s Excellence Fund, which will directly support CSUB’s ten women’s athletic programs. The donation will also increase the number of scholarships available to the Roadrunner Softball program to the NCAA’s allowable maximum for the first time in program history.

Carlin, a Bakersfield native and a former Division I softball scholar-athlete at UCLA, has long held a personal and vested interest in the development of scholar-athletes at CSUB and within the Bakersfield community.

“College sports provided the means for me to experience the world beyond the San Joaquin Valley,” said Carlin. “My UCLA experience changed my life – and it’s my hope that this gift can help change the lives of the Roadrunner student-athletes of the future.”

CSUB President Dr. Lynnette Zelezny praised Carlin for supporting scholar-athletes in her hometown, saying the gift will advance the aspirations of women athletes at the university.

“I want to thank Shelly for this life-changing investment in our women scholar-athletes,” Dr. Zelezny said. “I’ve cheered on our ’Runners with Shelly at my side at countless games in the Icardo Center, and her true love of CSUB athletics and belief in the power of collegiate sports to empower and uplift always inspires me. Shelly, my heartfelt gratitude. We are deeply honored by your loyal commitment to ’Runner Athletics. This is a day of celebration at CSUB.”

Following her retirement from Motorola, Carlin joined the HR Policy Association as an executive vice president, where she works on public policy issues important to human resources officers of large companies. She has also held executive positions with the Campbell Soup Company, TIAA-CREF and Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Despite a career spent with some of the largest and most influential companies in world, Carlin traces much of her success back to her time as a scholar-athlete with the Bruins.

“There’s no doubt that my career success was a direct result of my experience as a student-athlete,” said Carlin. “Learning how to compete, to recover from setbacks, to respect your opponent and to put your team above yourself – these are the building blocks of leadership and the things that make student-athletes special.”

Carlin was a trailblazer in women’s athletics, earning Academic All-American honors at UCLA and playing for the school’s 1982 National Championship team.

Growing up in Bakersfield in the 1960s and 1970s, she was forced to play junior high school baseball because girls’ softball teams did not yet exist. Her generous donations, and those of influencers like her, have changed the landscape of women’s sports and the lives of countless scholar-athletes over the years.

“It is hard to put into words my appreciation for what Shelly has done, and continues to do for our scholar-athletes,” said CSUB Director of Athletics Kenneth ‘Ziggy’ Siegfried. “Shelly and I share a strong desire to enhance the experience of women scholar-athletes at CSUB. The creation of the AD’s Women’s Excellence Fund will impact women’s athletics on our campus for many years to come. It is our hope that her transformative gift encourages others to support this fund and our women’s athletic programs.”

CSUB and the Roadrunner athletic department are committed to the development of CSUB scholar-athletes in the classroom, in the community and in competition. Bakersfield scholar-athletes have combined for a GPA of 3.00 or higher in 12 consecutive semesters, while contributing more than 3,000 hours of community service annually.

With a decorated athletic history at both the Division I and Division II levels, `Runner athletics will take another big step forward in 2021 joining the Big West Conference.

“Shelly has long played a major role in our vision for CSUB Softball and the development of our scholar-athletes on the field, in the classroom and with their future career goals,” said CSUB Head Softball Coach Crissy Buck. “Her latest gift will continue to turn those visions and goals into reality. As we embark on our inaugural season in the Big West Conference, this commitment provides the competitive lift our program needs in order to compete at the highest level. Our program is forever indebted to Shelly and her overwhelming generosity!”

CSUB won 30 Division II National Championships, including four from its women’s sports programs, before moving up to Division I competition. The `Runners have continued to represent the Bakersfield community with pride and a tradition of excellence, winning more than 100 team or individual conference championships and earning 65 All-American honors at the highest level of collegiate athletics.

“I remember watching CSUB athletics’ teams in the early years and being so proud of those athletes that represented my hometown,” said Carlin. “But now it’s time for those of us who have been blessed with success to step up and help foster a new era of growth for the Roadrunners.”

To join Carlin in support of CSUB scholar-athletes and the Athletics Director’s Women’s Excellence Fund please contact Associate Athletics Director for Development, Chris Asa at 661.654.3209.