2026 Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon
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The Binghamton University Division of Athletics announced on Oct. 29 that Alix Klineman - the 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist in Beach Volleyball, as well as a four time indoor volleyball NCAA All-American - will be the featured speaker at the 21st Annual Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon (CWAL), presented by M&T Bank, on Feb. 23. The event will begin at noon at the Events Center on campus.
Klineman’s illustrious volleyball career has taken her to the pinnacle at every level of competition. She was the 2006 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year and as a senior at Stanford, was the 2010 Volleyball Magazine Player of the Year.
After winning a bronze medal with team USA at the 2011 Pan American Games, Klineman made the switch to beach volleyball. She was part of the 2018 Association of Volleyball Professionals Team of the Year (along with April Ross) and was individually honored with the 2018 and 2019 Best Blocker Awards. The crowning moment for Klineman and Ross, however, was capturing the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Away from the volleyball court, Klineman has flourished as a digital content creator. In 2023, USOPC partnered with her idea to offer financial support to Team USA parents for childcare, infant supplies and more. To date, Team USA’s New Family Fund has provided financial grants to 33 athletes and their growing families.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CWA EVENT: Held each year to recognize the achievements of Binghamton University's student-athletes, this event also raises funding for scholarships awarded to student-athletes at Binghamton University.
Since 2006, the Celebrating Women's Athletics event has raised more than $500,000 to support the BBAA Scholarship Fund. The scholarships were established in 2007, and have grown each year. In 2025, 10 BBAA Scholarships were awarded to student-athletes. This event began in 2006, with just 75 attendees, and is today one of the Athletics Department's primary fundraisers. Last year, an event-record 900+ guests attended the event.
Attendees have the opportunity to meet current Bearcat student-athletes and coaches and to hear them speak about the role athletics has played in their development, careers and life.
2025 Guest Speaker- Emily Mackay - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2024 Guest Speaker- Angel McCoughtry - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2023 Guest Speaker- Dottie Pepper - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2022 Guest Speaker- Nancy Hogshead-Makar - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2021 Guest Speaker- Breanna Stewart (held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
2020 Guest Speaker- Suzyn Waldman - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2019 Guest Speaker- Joan Benoit Samuelson - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2018 Guest Speaker- Shannon Boxx - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2017 Guest Speaker- Swin Cash - (Post-Event Release) (Pre-Event Release)
2016 Guest Speaker- Amy Van Dyken Rouen - (Post-Event Release) (Pre- Event Release)
2015 Guest Speaker- Rebecca Lobo -
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2014 Guest Speaker - Jennie Finch - (
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2013 Guest Speaker- Shannon Miller
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2012 Guest Speaker- Amanda Beard
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2011 Guest Speaker- Julie Foudy
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2010 Guest Speaker- Kara Lawson
2009 Guest Speaker- Jessica Mendoza
2008 Guest Speaker- Cathleen Ellsworth
2007 Guest Speaker- Kathryn Grant Madigan
2006 Guest Speaker- Lois DeFleur
