Dr. Trisha Bailey is leaving her mark on UConn (and the world)

UConn alumna Dr. Trisha Bailey made headlines last year by becoming the biggest individual donor in the school’s athletic history. Now she’s celebrating the release of her first book, UNBROKEN: The Triumphant Story of a Woman’s Journey.

Following her donation, the institutional advancement committee of the UConn Board of Trustees recommended naming a renovated on-campus facility the Bailey Student Athlete Success Center, an action that is pending approval by the full board on October 26, according to UConn Athletics.

The Jamaican-born philanthropist and entrepreneur started at UConn in 1995. After graduating from Weaver High in Hartford, CT, she arrived in Storrs as part of the cross country and track teams. After graduating in 1999, Bailey earned her MBA in 2005 and added a doctorate in management in 2010.

Now at 45, Bailey has dominated the medical supply industry under the umbrella of Bailey’s Medical which includes multiple facets of scrubs, medical equipment and supplies, and a pharmacy.

With a reported net worth in the hundreds of millions, Bailey became a millionaire at just 35 and is one of the richest Black women in the United States.

While she’s continued to thrive in the medical industry, she’s also expanded into real estate. According to her personal website, Creating My Own Yes, Bailey has amassed over 50 commercial and residential real estate properties across the United States to Jamaica and became the first Black woman to own property in Vero Beach and Edgewood Florida.

Last October, Bailey made headlines again after making the largest cash donation by an alum, and the largest gift ever dedicated to UConn athletics. With all her success, Bailey told CT Insider that once she had reached the financial capacity to be able to donate to UConn, she was finally able to do something she had long dreamed of – help the University as it helped her.

“Years ago, before I was in the financial space that I’m in now, I used to say that I can’t wait to donate,” Bailey told CT Insider last October. “That was always in the vision. I just didn’t realize it was this type of vision […] I said, ‘This is what I can do.’ And they said, ‘Really?’”

Though the amount of the donation was not disclosed, it will be used towards the $60 million renovation of the Greer Fieldhouse, which will soon bear Bailey’s name.

Home of UConn’s men’s and women’s track and field, as well as cross country teams, the Greer Fieldhouse is where Bailey herself spent many hours during her time as a student. With its renovation set to be completed this fall, the re-named facility will become the home for six Husky teams.

After coming from a life of poverty in Jamaica and migrating to the US, Bailey told CT Insider that UConn gave her a real chance at life. With her donation, she’s hoping that she can help UConn give other student-athletes that same opportunity.

“It’s a flood of emotions,” Bailey said. “More than you could imagine. The program was always there for me, the staff. For me to give back so they can continue the tradition of supporting the kids on the field and off, it does something to my soul.”

Bailey is now celebrating a new accomplishment, her autobiography, UNBROKEN: The Triumphant Story of a Woman’s Journey. Released on July 29th, the book takes readers inside Bailey’s path and how she overcame obstacles and past trauma to become the self-made success story she is today and a role model for any University of Connecticut student.