Oct. 31, 2012

Shelly Carlin, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Motorola and a former UCLA Softball player, recently committed to a $400,000 gift to benefit UCLA Softball.

Carlin's gift, the single-largest ever by a female former student-athlete, will establish a legends wall at Easton Stadium and help to fund a leadership curriculum for members of the softball team.

A California native, Carlin earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business administration from UCLA, where she was a member of the 1982 NCAA championship softball team and was voted an Academic All-American.

"I've been incredibly fortunate to have had a successful career in the corporate world, having worked at outstanding companies who are market leaders. I've had the opportunity to travel globally - and the exposure to people and cultures around the world has been life-changing," Carlin said. "None of that would have been possible without my UCLA experience. My years at UCLA - the education at both the undergraduate and graduate level - as well as the chance to be a part of a national championship team, is the single biggest factor in my success. It's time to reinvest some of that success to benefit future generations of student-athletes."

In 2006, Carlin established the Michele Aguilar Carlin endowed scholarship for UCLA Softball, and she has encouraged her follow former UCLA student-athletes to give back to the program financially to help sustain the growth and success of UCLA Athletics.

"Shelly's extraordinary support of UCLA and the softball program is truly commendable," said UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero. "She was a great Bruin on the field during her days in Westwood and has now also become a great Bruin in the community at large. Her generosity will afford our student-athletes several opportunities."

"Our softball program philosophy is to excel in all areas of family, school and softball. Shelly was a scholar-athlete in the classroom, won a national championship on the field, and has become a generous donor to the athletic department and the largest donor to the UCLA Softball family," said UCLA Softball Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. "Shelly exemplifies what it means to be a Bruin in every aspect. We are very thankful that she is in a position to give back to the program and be closely connected to our current Bruins."

Financial investments made by UCLA alumni, fans and friends to UCLA Athletics are directly invested in the academic and athletic expenses awarded to deserving student-athletes chosen to compete in intercollegiate athletics at UCLA. To support UCLA Athletics and its 700 student-athletes, please visit www.woodenathleticfund.com or call 310-206-3302.