Number of Participants: 5
Hours Donated: 5
Value of Time Served: $211
Event Type: Women
Sport: Schools
Date: April 17, 2014
Location:
300 Carleton Avenue Central Islip
New York 11722, United States
About:
The Daemen College Athletic Department hosted its Third Annual Women in Sports Day Celebration today in the Social Room of the Wick Campus Center. The event, which featured several speakers highlighting the importance of the role that sports play in their daily lives, was held in conjunction with the National Girls and Women In Sports Day program. Today’s event was bolstered through a corporate sponsorship by ReedsJenss, marking the first time Daemen has garnered outside funding to provide a first-class event for those on hand.
The event’s first speaker was Bridget Niland, Associate Professor of Business Administration, who also serves as the Faculty Athletic Representative for the Daemen Athletic Department. Niland addressed the history and importance of Title IX that has led to the many opportunities for women in sports today.
Senior volleyball players Brittany Anthon (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) and Kaley Vazquez (Kenmore, N.Y./Kenmore West) were the featured student-athlete speakers at the event. Both exhausted their eligibility this past fall by leading the Daemen College volleyball team to a 23-10 season and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship. The pair of spikers spoke about their journey throughout high school and college together and how sports will help them in their future endeavors.
The event’s honored speaker was Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning for the Buffalo Bills, Mary Owen. She began her career with the Bills as an intern in 1997-1999 and joined the Bills full-time in 2000 as the manager of the Bills website. Mary has served in multiple positions throughout her tenure including Coordinator of Marketing Communications, Manager of Marketing Communications, Director of Business Systems and Vice President of Strategic Planning. She oversees the Bills’ Community Relations Department, serves as the Executive Director of the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and is the President of the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation while serving on various committees linked to the National Football League. Owen spoke to the audience about her journey and how she got where she is today as well as offering very inspiring advice. In her address to the audience regarding the journey student-athletes take through their collegiate experience and into the professional world, Owen offered advice to “do what is authentic to you.” Owen also voiced to be deliberate with life choices and action and that above all else work ethic can help prove yourself.
Wrapping up the event, an award commemorating dedication and support of Daemen’s women’s sport programs was presented to Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Richanne Mankey.
“Here at Daemen, Dr. Mankey is one of the two women on the senior leadership team and she sets the example for our student-athletes to continue to develop as aspiring leaders who wish to break the glass ceiling and into male-dominated fields, including athletics,” Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Jess Gorski said.” The Department of Athletics and its’ student-athletes have directly benefited from Dr. Mankey’s leadership, vision and management skills as we continue our transition to NCAA Division II. Four-plus years ago, Dr. Mankey was one of the driving forces behind this transition and without her vision we would not be as far along as we are today.”
National Girls and Women in Sports Day is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports. The idea began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and for her work to assure equality for women’s sports, after her death the year before from Marfan’s Syndrome. Since then, National Girls and Women in Sports day has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
