The donation will directly support Weber State football and basketball, providing essential resources to enhance their success. These funds may be used for key areas such as recruitment, scholarships, and other financial needs that give the programs a competitive edge in the constantly evolving landscape of college athletics.

“Weber State has always held a special place in our hearts. Our family has been longtime supporters of the university and Wildcat Athletics, and we are proud to continue that tradition with this donation,” Paul Wheelwright said.

An Ogden native, Paul attended Weber State. He began working at his family’s business, Wheelwright Lumber Company, at a young age. For more than 20 years, he has served as President of Wheelwright Lumber, representing the fourth generation to lead the company his great-grandfather founded in the early 1900s.

Deeply engaged in the community, Paul has been involved in numerous organizations, including the Wildcat Club, where he served for many years, including a term as president.

Brenda Wheelwright, a Roy native, also has strong ties to Weber State. She earned her master’s degree in accounting from Weber State College in 1987 and has worked as a CPA for more than 35 years, both in public accounting and with the Weber County Treasurer’s Office. She is also part of the accounting team at Wheelwright Lumber and serves on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber-Davis.

The Wheelwrights have two children, Britney and Trevor, and two grandchildren.

In recognition of their dedication to Weber State, Paul and Brenda were honored as the Emeriti Alumni Homecoming Royalty by the Weber State Alumni Association in 2024.

“Weber State is fortunate to have alumni like Paul and Brenda Wheelwright,” WSU President Brad Mortensen said. “Their love for the university and Wildcat athletics is exceptional. It’s humbling to see Paul, Brenda, and the whole team from Wheelwright Lumber step up to increase their support to promote the success of our great, great, great football and basketball programs.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Paul and Brenda Wheelwright and Wheelwright Lumber Company for their unwavering commitment to Weber State Athletics,” said Tim Crompton, WSU Director of Athletics. “Their generous gift of $1 million will have a lasting impact on our football and basketball programs, providing critical resources to help our student-athletes succeed both on and off the field. The Wheelwright family has been a pillar of support for Weber State for many years, and their dedication to our university and athletic programs is truly inspiring. We appreciate their continued belief in our mission and their investment in the future of Wildcat Athletics.”