Zeile Family Makes Transformational $1 Million Gift to Advance Student-Athlete Nutrition and Women’s Soccer
4/28/2026 11:00:00 AM | General, Featured
MALIBU, Calif. — Pepperdine Athletics has announced a transformational $1 million gift from Karl and Dian Zeile that will support student-athlete nutrition initiatives and establish a new endowed scholarship for the women's soccer program.
"We are incredibly grateful to Karl and Dian Zeile for this transformational gift to Pepperdine Athletics," said director of athletics Tanner Gardner. "Their generosity has already strengthened the day-to-day student-athlete experience and will have a lasting impact on our department."
The Zeiles' gift will be split between two initiatives. The first establishes the Karl and Dian Zeile Women's Soccer Endowed Scholarship, providing long-term scholarship support for the program. The second supports the establishment of the Fueling Elite Performance Program, which enhances nutrition resources for Pepperdine student-athletes.Â
"We are thrilled to have an opportunity to support Pepperdine's commitment to both their Christian mission and the pursuit of excellence in Division I athletics," Dian said. Karl added, "Pepperdine is a special place, and we hope this gift helps build on that strong foundation through scholarships and enhancing athlete nutrition – allowing our student athletes to perform at their God-given potential."
The Karl and Dian Zeile Women's Soccer Endowed Scholarship will provide scholarship support for student-athletes on the Pepperdine women's soccer roster, allowing the program to offer increased scholarships made possible by the House vs. NCAA settlement. The $500,000 endowment is the largest single gift directly supporting female student-athletes in Pepperdine Athletics history. It is also the largest athletics scholarship endowment that the University has received.Â
The Fueling Elite Performance Program will support the continued development of Pepperdine's performance nutrition program, including the hiring of a part-time sports nutritionist who will work directly with Pepperdine teams and individual student-athletes. The nutritionist offers individual consultations, education on performance fueling, and personalized guidance to help student-athletes reach their nutrition goals while supporting their overall physical and mental well-being, as well as peak performance in practice and competition
Additionally, the Fueling Elite Performance Program will enhance the availability of pre-performance and recovery nutrition, as well as fueling opportunities for student-athletes across all Pepperdine programs.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE ATHLETICS
Pepperdine University boasts one of the most successful athletic programs in the country for a school of its size. The Waves have claimed 10 NCAA Division I team championships and 26 team or individual national championships in their history. Located in scenic Malibu, California, the university overlooks a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
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