Celebrating Women's Athletics

Monday afternoon I attending the 11th annual celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon at the Binghamton University Events Center.

This was the second one that I have attended, and the biggest gathering in their history with over 600 in attendance. the event is held to honor women athletes, and to help raise funds for scholarships and financial aid for female student athletes.

The highlight of the afternoon is hearing from Bearcat alumni, current team members, and amazing women athletes with inspiring stories.

The first speaker was Griffin McIver, a Union Endicott Grad who is currently on the BU Softball team.

Griffin's story of how they won the championship and her years as a Bearcat, makes you understand how important sports programs are to these women.

The main speaker was Amy Van Dyken, who is an Olympic champion swimmer who took home six gold metals at the 1996 summer Olympics, making her the first American female athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympiad.

In 1998 she won two more gold medals at the Sydney Olympics and an additional three gold medals at the 1998 World Championships.

In June of 2014 Amy was injured in an ATV accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down, this remarkable woman has fought back from her injuries and has made progress that includes walking with braces.

Amy's story was inspiring to both genders, and the message is never stop trying, and alway strive for the best you can do.

I have a history with BU Athletics, I was the PA announcer for both the Mens and Womens basketball and soccer teams

I can tell you that I have never met a better group of professional people.

In closing I would like to encourage you to support Women's and Girls sporting programs in our community.