Dover, Del. (Jan. 23, 2010) --- The Delaware State University Athletics Department will pay tribute to individuals who have made significant contributions to women's athletics during an affair in Dover next month.
The first annual "Delaware Diamond Extravaganza - Honoring a Commitment to Excellence in Women's Athletics," is set for Friday, Feb. 19 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Dover.
The highlight of the event will be the recognition of 12 Delawareans or individuals with ties to Delaware for outstanding contributions to women's sports.
"There are numerous individuals in Delaware who have played significant roles in providing opportunities to women in athletics," said Candy Young Sanders, Delaware State University Senior Woman Administrator and Track & Field/Cross Country Head Coach. "It's important that we recognize these leaders to say thanks and to inspire others, especially young women."
The 2010 Delaware Diamond Extravaganza honorees are:
Honorary Recipients for this Event Are:
Gwendolyn C. Harris - Delaware State University graduate ('74) and current University of Pennsylvania Head Track & Field Coach.
Rob Perciful - Long-time Seaford High School track and field, cross -country and field hockey coach.
Laura Leone - Hodgson Vo-Tech athletic director.
Dionna Harris - Gold medal winning softball player (Team USA) and member of the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame.
Bradley Caine - Owner and trainer of six hall of fame horses, two of which qualified for the Olympic Games.
Debbie Cauff White - 1963 and 1964 International Champion Rider for Pony of the America's. Mrs. White has been helping youth and amateurs achieve their riding goals through her coaching for over 25 years.
Evelyn Edney - Howard High School of Technology (Del.) principal. 1996 Delaware Girls Indoor Track Coach-of-the- Year and current President of Delaware Women's Alliance of Sports and Fitness.
Deborah Windett - Caesar Rodney High School girls head lacrosse coach.
Joan Samonisky - Current Athletic Director and Head Field Coach of Sanford School (Del.) Director of Athletics and former University of Delaware softball and field hockey standout.
Bonnie Kenny - University of Delaware head volleyball coach. Also coached at South Carolina and Massachusetts.
Kermit and Rita Justice - Owners of Mid-County Lanes in Middletown, Delaware for their efforts to provide bowling opportunities for women.
The guest speaker for the Delaware Diamond Extravaganza will be Joetta Clark Diggs, a four-time U.S. Olympian (1988, '92, '96, 2000) and collegiate track & field champion. Clark Diggs is a 15-time All-American, 11-time NCAA champion and nine-time All-Southeastern Conference champion at the University of Tennessee. A member of the University of Tennessee Hall-of-Fame, she is the daughter of former New Jersey high school principal Joe Clark, the subject of the movie "Lean on Me."
Tickets for the event are $45 per person and $400 for a table of 10. For ticket information, contact Delaware State Athletics at 302-857-7633 or Candy Young Sanders at csanders@desu.edu. Please RSVP by Feb. 10. A social hour is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.
