Jan. 16, 2001
Stony Brook, N.Y. -
Jan. 16, 2001
Stony Brook, N.Y. -
The University at Stony Brook will host its 10th annual Girls and Women in Sports Celebration in February as part of the 15th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration, announced by Congress. This year's theme, "No Stopping Us Now," reflects the Day's advocation of the participation of girls and women in sports and fitness. Stony Brook hosts four events to celebrate the day--the Girls and Women in Sports Day Banquet, the Debbie Whittemore High School Leadership Awards Ceremony, the Crown Trophy Awards 10th-Year Reunion and the Fleet Bank All-Sports Clinic.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day was established in 1986 after the death of Olympic volleyball standout Flo Hyman. Hyman's peers considered her a leader in the search for equality for women's sports. Her sudden death while playing in Japan on Jan. 24, 1986, left a void in the athletic community. Not only was Hyman an exceptional athlete, she was committed to greatness off the court as well. Meanwhile, many women's sports leaders had been discussing the idea of establishing a national day to celebrate the achievements of women athletes. Hyman's spirit and the accomplishments of other female athletes are commemorated each year on the Day.
The Women's Sports Foundation organized the first official National Women in Sports Day celebration in Washington, D.C., to remember and honor Flo Hyman in 1987. The date chosen was the first open day on the legislative calendar after the anniversary of Hyman's death. Since the first year, four major organizations have joined together to coordinate the Day--Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS), the Women Sports Foundation and the YWCA of the USA. The Girl Scouts of the USA joined in 1994.
During the national celebration, the winner of the Women's Sports Foundation Flo Hyman Memorial Award, given to an athlete who captures Flo Hyman's "dignity, spirit and commitment to excellence" is announced. Martina Navratilova was the first winner, while Monica Seles won last year. Other former winners include Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Chris Evert, Nancy Lopez, Mary Lou Retton, Billi Jean King and Bonnie Blair.
The Day is a nationwide event with celebrations in all 50 states and internationally.
GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS BANQUET
The banquet honors past and present female athletes at the University at Stony Brook. Stony Brook athletic alumnae, current student-athletes, coaches and athletics personnel are expected to attend the banquet, which kicks off Stony Brook's GWSD Celebration this year.
Announcement of the featured speaker will follow soon.
The banquet takes place at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2, at Port Jefferson Country Club.
DEBBIE WHITTEMORE HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY
The Debbie Whittemore Leadership Award is granted to local high school senior girls who have demonstrated superior leadership qualities, academic excellence and community service. Fleet Bank will award a $500 scholarship to the femaile athlete who best displays these characteristics. The winner, who will be announced at the ceremony, may use the scholarship at the college/university of her choice.
Debbie Whittemore was a former student at the University at Stony Brook who was killed in a drunk driving accident in 1994. During her collegiate career, Whittemore was a committed intramural employee and dedicated student athletic trainer. Just two days before her death, she had begun her career as a nurse at Stony Brook Hospital. The leadership award was established in her memory.
The featured speaker will be Elaine Roque, one of the most renowned volleyball players in the world. She was a three-time All-America, earning the honor at both UCLA and Utah State, a 1996 U.S. Olympic Team alternate, a standout on the professional beach volleyball circuit and is presently a member of the Hofstra University women's volleyball coaching staff.
Roque earned All-America status at UCLA in 1977 and 1978 and was also a member of the U.S. National Team. She then transferred to Utah State and earned All-America accolades in 1979. In 1980 Roque began her professional career with the CUS Parma indoor volleyball team in Italy. She joined the professional beach volleyball circuit in 1987, playing on the Women's Pro Volleyball Association Tour and the Federation de Internationale Volleyball Tour. She was voted the best blocker on the W.P.V.A. Tour in 1991 and 1993, and won the Sportsmanship Award in 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 1997. She is currently ranked fourth on the W.P.V.A. all-time prize money list.
This past summer, Roque was hired by Volleyball Canada to serve as a beach volleyball coach during the Olympic Trials for the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia. She also worked for FOX Sports as a sideline reporter during beach volleyball telecasts.
Roque has also written a yet-untitled book on volleyball practice planning and instruction that will be published by the Amateur Athletic Foundation. Roque, who has had several articles published in various volleyball publications, received a bachelor's degree in English from Utah State in 1983 and a master's degree in economics from Cal-Santa Barbara in 1988.
The awards ceremony takes place at noon on Sunday, Feb. 4, in the Student Activities Center.
CROWN TROPHY AWARDS 10-YEAR REUNION
At the Crown Trophy Awards 10-Year Reunion, the 98 past winners will be recognized for their hard work and dedication throughout their careers in promoting the participation of girls and women in sports.
The Crown Trophy Award was established in 1992 by the Girls and Women in Sports Day Committee at the University at Stony Brook. The award is granted to women who have given at least 20 years of service to the growth of participation for girls and women in sports. Service in the areas of teaching, administration, coaching or any other capacity at any level other than college qualifies for the award. Nominations are sought from any professional in the field, including past award winners. A sub-sub committee meets twice a year to review the nominations and suggest a list of winners to the University Crown Trophy Committee. The GWSD Committee makes the final selections. Mark Mionis from Crown Trophy has donated the awards since 1992, and they are presented at the Debbie Whittemore/Crown Trophy Awards Ceremony in February.
The reunion will be at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Port Jefferson Country Club.
FLEET BANK ALL-SPORTS CLINIC
The clinic is the final event in Stony Brook's GWSD 2001 Celebration. Approximately 250 children ages 6-11 are expected to participate, and around 40 Stony Brook student-athletes will run the clinic. Participants must be pre-registered to attend the clinic (for more information, contact head tennis coach Gary Glassman at 632-7208). Participants will be able to visit several different stations, inlcuding volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball and athletic training. Clinic participants will also be able to attend the Stony Brook women's basketball game against Albany at 4 p.m. at the USB Sports Complex.
The clinic takes place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17.
