It was a mid-life crisis.

Last year, the Lady Topper basketball program stumbled and fell.

Under the coaching of Shawn Campbell, it was an emotion-filled season with more downs than ups.

Players wouldn’t play for the coach. The coach’s profanity offended the fans.

Campbell was fired.

But there’s a clean slate now.

Mary Taylor Cowles, a former Western player, emerged as the top choice. Players liked her, fans liked her. The university hired her.

And administrators made it clear: we want the program back on its feet and we’ll do what it takes, financially and otherwise to help.

Last year, they created the Lady Topper Basketball Enhancement Fund, a $500,000 fundraising effort. It was Western’s way of supporting Cowles.

It’s proved effective. Already, the fund is past the halfway point. Western announced Monday that Belle and Mike Hunt, Murfreesboro, Tenn. residents, donated $175,000 to the fund. That money will go toward program needs like recruiting and travel.

But it is also a sign of the times. It’s a sign that the community has been inspired by Western’s support of this program.

They’ve come through financially.

But now, the pressure is on Cowles.

She’s got the money, the support of the university and and the backing of the community.

It’s her turn to show us she deserves it.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 10-member board of student editors.