The Seattle University athletic department, along with University Advancement, sponsored the Women's Athletics Luncheon, which took place Saturday, Nov. 15, at Casey Commons on the fifth floor of the Casey Building on campus.
The afternoon was billed as a way to recognize the successful female student-athletes in the school's history as well as to support the current women's programs as the department makes the transition to Division I. A special presentation was made to athletic legends Pat Lesser Harbottle, the top player on the men's golf team from 1952-1955, and Janet Hopps Adkisson, the number one players on the men's tennis team from 1953-1956. Both Harbottle and Adkisson spoke briefly about their experiences at Seattle University, especially about how being able to participate in athletics helped them throughout the rest of their lives.
Among the speakers in front of a crowd of 75 supporters was former women's basketball player Jackie Thomas, who was one of the 30 semifinalists for the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year Award and is the all-time steals leader, current head women's soccer coach Julie Woodward, a Seattle University Athletic Hall of Famer for her exploits as a player in the early 1990s, and Fr. Steve Sundborg, the President of Seattle University who has been the strongest force behind the school's move back to Division I. Kellye Testy, the Dean of the Seattle University School of Law, was the featured speaker and talked about how athletics can positively impact a young woman's life, drawing from her own personal experience as a basketball player in Indiana.
From the event program: The future of women’s athletics at Seattle University is bright. We hope you will join with us on the promising road to Division I. You can do this with your vocal support of SU sports, purchasing tickets, coming to games, cheering enthusiastically, and with your contributions to SU women’s athletics, a vital component to our future success.