VESTAL, NY – The Binghamton Bearcats Athletic Association (BBAA) hosted its 18th Annual Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon presented by M&T Bank Monday afternoon and the special event drew more than 600 spectators to the Events Center.
Seventeen-time LPGA tour winner and acclaimed golf broadcaster
Dottie Pepper was the keynote speaker. A native of Saratoga Springs, Pepper shared her experience as a player and television announcer.
"Exchange that 'deserve' mindset for an 'earn' mindset," Pepper advised the young athletes in the audience. "See pressure as a privilege and lean on the wisdom of others who have come before you. Know that the opportunities and gifts of a lifetime in sports are only beginning to come to all of you."
University President Harvey Stenger and Director of Athletics Gene Marshall spoke about the importance of the event and the historical success of BU's women's athletics.
"Binghamton University has had a long tradition of supporting our female athletes because we know their achievements in practice and competition help set the table for their future success," Stenger said. "This is important for their education process but it also enriches the entire campus life for all of our students.
"All our athletes are role models on and off our campus and add to the vitality and visibility to the University ... I want to thank all the female athletes for all they do. We are so proud that this event has become one of the premier events promoting women's athletics in the United States."
"If you look at the success of our women's sports, it's a direct correlation to this great event," Marshall said. "Our student-athletes are performing at a high level and the best is yet to come."
Graduate softball captain
Allie Richmond also gave a stirring speech that detailed her unique journey as a collegiate student-athlete.
"It was a dream of mine to play college softball," Richmond shared during her remarks. "Making the decision to come to Binghamton has completely changed my life. But after three years I had started just 12 of our 88 games. Most people on the outside would probably look at my first three years of softball as a 'fail.' But not me. Although I wasn't where I wanted to be on the stat sheet, I was further along than I could've imagined in so many other aspects. I was playing a sport I love at the highest level, pursuing a double major at an amazing university, had landed three internships and was forming the most meaningful relationships, finding my best friends in my teammates. Being a student-athlete at Binghamton has been the greatest privilege of my life."
The event also featured a silent auction, remarks by luncheon co-chair Kate Madigan and M&T Bank Senior Branch Manager Nickole Thorn, and a Q&A with Pepper and BBAA President and former Bearcat two-sport standout Sara DeClemente-Hammoud.
The Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon event has raised more than a half-million dollars to support the BBAA Women's Scholarship Fund. In 2022, 10 BBAA Women's Scholarships were awarded to female student-athletes. This event began in 2006, with just 75 attendees, and has now grown into a showpiece event that is one-of-a-kind across the country.
To make a gift directly to the BBAA Women's Scholarship Fund visit bubearcats.com/CWALgives
