BY JESSICA PALL &
MINDY PIERCE
Lions’ Pride Sports Editors

Just over 200 female athletes dressed in business attire of Saint Leo’s nine athletic teams enjoyed a thick slice of chocolate cake with coffee, water or unsweetened ice tea, at Saint Leo’s 20th Annual Girls & Women in Sports Celebration banquet.

Held Thursday, February 4th, this banquet celebrated the 24th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day along with other athletes, coaches, and parents across the country with this year’s theme, “Stay Strong, Play On.”

The female athletes, along with their coaches, athletic staff, Saint Leo sponsors, and University President Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, listened to the guest of honor and main speaker for the night, Mary Wise.
At 6:30 p.m., the night began with socializing and snacking on heavy h’orderves. By 7:00 p.m. the room was filled to the max with athletes from basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

The invited guest of honor, Mary Wise, is currently the head coach of the women’s volleyball team at the University of Florida. As Wise began to tell her story, she claimed she was stunned at the idea that women athletes were coming together for one night during the year to recognize women in sports.

Wise’s story began with her senior year of high school where Wise told the audience she had to step up and help coach her team because their new coach did not lead them. A determined and motivated senior, Wise was recruited to Purdue University, where she graduated after playing four years of college volleyball. At 21 years old, Wise applied and was hired for Iowa State’s head volleyball coach where she made a yearly salary of $13,500. A marriage and several years later, she found herself in Kentucky and eventually to Florida where she remains today.

At the beginning of her talk, Wise said she was honored that people would want to listen to her life story, which she claimed was not exciting. However, the audience was captivated with her energy and main message directed towards all the young women, “to not be afraid of losing.” Her honest, humble, and straightforward style made the night enjoyable and memorable.

Wise related to the audience by sharing times in her life where she did not win. In fact, Wise sat on the bench her freshman year at Purdue and was only given a chance to play in a game after completing a challenge of walking across the gym on her hands. However, after switching positions to a setter, Wise had a standout career for the Boilmakers.

Among a few of her extensive achievements and awards, Wise has been named one of the 10 most influential women’s sports coaches or administrators in Southeastern Conference history and during her career is also the first coach in NCAA history to win 100 consecutive games. Her success provided inspiration for Leo’s female athletes.

“Wise was very inspiring because she had been through so much to make it where she is today,” junior swimmer Alisha Adams said.

Teammate Sarah Earls agreed feeling that Wise was very motivating to listen, too.

“It was also fun to mingle with the teams and see my teammates with clothes on instead of suits,” the freshman swimmer said.

A $1,000 Sodexo Scholarship was given to every woman’s sports team. Some of the criteria include community service as well as demonstrating leadership and integrity. The following were the winners of the 2010 award:

Aija Bent-Trinder – Women’s Soccer; Jillian Brown – Cross Country; Corey Ryan – Volleyball; Kiara Bradley – Women’s Basketball; Liz Casey – Swimming; Christine Clyne – Women’s Tennis; Elysha Agen – Softball; Kristina Carvalho – Women’s Golf.

Volleyball senior Chelsea Armer was awarded the Elaine Evans Spirit of Saint Leo Award this year. Armer’s contribution to the community with participating in service projects, and leadership and dedication to her conference-winning championship team set her apart from the other athletes.
Overall, the night was a success, and will remain a memory until next spring, as Saint Leo hosts the 21st Girls & Women in Sports banquet.