Kellys donate $250,000 to Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly and his wife are donating $250,000 to the university, including money for cancer research.

"It reflects our commitment to seeing Notre Dame succeed, on and off the gridiron," Kelly said in a statement Monday.

Part of the donation will go to the Mike and Josie Harper Cancer Research Institute, set to open this summer at Notre Dame. The institute will bring together scientists from Notre Dame and Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend to collaborate on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.

Kelly's wife, Paqui, has twice been treated successfully for breast cancer. Kelly said the donation is to "programs that are important to us on a personal level."

Some of the money also will go to purchase learning and teaching materials for the Hesburgh Libraries, which consists of 12 campus libraries. The remaining money will go to the Robinson Community Learning Center in South Bend to underwrite innovative tutoring, violence-prevention, youth entrepreneurship and performing arts projects.

Kelly also is challenging Notre Dame supporters to donate to the school.

"Notre Dame is changing the world through great discoveries in research, by educating the leaders of tomorrow and by improving our local communities. I ask you to join me in supporting Notre Dame to show your own passion for what matters to you," he said.