Watch: Making a Difference – Francesa Hartop
A few years ago, West Virginia University Athletics donor Francesca Hartop invited her youngest son, then 13, to share in her passion for Mountaineer football. She brought him to his first gridiron game in Morgantown — a Backyard Brawl matchup against Pitt.
“His eyes were big, and he's watching all this stuff and he was so excited by it,” Hartop said. “And then they start doing the chant. You know, the ‘Eat...’ And he looks up at me with those big eyes. He’s like, ‘Am I allowed to say that, Mom?’”
Her reply: “When in Rome. Go for it.”
Like her son, Hartop was first drawn to Mountaineer football for its unique traditions and infectious gameday atmosphere. She is now investing in its future with two generous gifts to support the program, including a significant planned gift made in her will.
“Since I came to West Virginia in December 2022, I can relate to Francesca’s story as someone not from the Mountain State but one who fell in love with its natural beauty and caring people,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “She chose to live in this great state, and West Virginia University is grateful that she has become a part of Mountaineer Nation.”
“Her passion and love for our football program is a perfect example of how our fans can continue to make a difference and change a young person’s life for the better. Many thanks from our department goes out to Francesca for her dedication, love and loyalty to the Mountaineers.”
Hartop appreciates the security of having her estate plan settled to support WVU football.
“The bequest is great because I know that, regardless of what I do now or five years from now or 10 years from now, at the end of all that, there's an amount there that's going to make sure that the program can use it for something, I hope, very special,” Hartop said. “That flexibility, especially when you're young, is really nice. And I feel good knowing I kind of have a lot of this worked out so I don't have to worry about figuring it out later.”
Hartop, of Fayetteville, is a Mountaineer by choice. She didn’t attend the University, and she’s not from West Virginia. Yet, she considers the Mountain State — and WVU — home.
She grew up in Los Angeles and attended college at California Polytechnic State University and the University of North Carolina.
Her first acquaintance with the Mountain State was in the late 1990s, when she briefly worked in Parkersburg. The job wasn’t a good fit, but she appreciated the state’s natural beauty and continued to visit to hike, bike and explore after moving to Ohio.
Hartop held a variety of jobs rooted in health care until 1999, when she founded Zebu Compliance Solutions. For nearly 20 years, the company offered payment and credentialing solutions for health care providers.
As she began spending more time in West Virginia, Hartop embraced WVU football. She was sold when she attended her first home game over 15 years ago.
“From the first game I came to, I loved the energy,” Hartop said. “Mountaineer fans are fantastic.”
Hartop has also been impressed by the University’s service to the state via WVU Extension and other outreach programs. Spurred by her growing affinity for the state, its people and WVU, she eventually purchased property in West Virginia and moved to Fayetteville full-time after selling her business in 2018.
Since then, she has strengthened her connection to the WVU football program as a Mountaineer Athletic Club supporter. She appreciates having access to see “behind the scenes,” engaging with coaches, players and other fans through special events and other experiences.
Planned gift donors to WVU Athletics become members of the Jerry West Society, which offers access to an exclusive stewardship program. Hartop hopes her latest gifts help the program grow, and she encourages others to plan ahead to support their passions.
“I'm an avid football fan, and so it's nice to feel like I have a home state, home football program, university that's right here,” Hartop said. “It's just kind of one of my things in life is you try to support things that you're thankful for. The football program brings people together in the state of West Virginia. If you're going to be a football fan of West Virginia, WVU is it.”
To learn more about opportunities to support the WVU football program, visit mountaineerathleticclub.com, call 304-293-2294 or email mac@mail.wvu.edu. All gifts are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.