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Western New York's Premier Division II Team
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elana meyera taylor ngwis 2016
U.S. Olympian Elana Meyers Taylor addresses the crowd at today's event

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U.S. Olympian Speaks At National Girls And Women In Sports Event

Mary Wilson Recognized For Her Contributions To Advancing Women In Sports

AMHERST, N.Y. - The on-campus portion of Daemen College's celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Week wrapped up today with a series of speakers in Lumsden Gymnasium, headlined by U.S. Olympian Elana Meyers Taylor.  An audience comprised of Daemen's female student-athletes, coaches, administrators and other invited guests were on hand to hear from the bobsledding champion, as well as from Bridget Niland, director of athletics, and Meghan Lipinoga who completed her senior season for the Wildcats' women's soccer team last fall.
 
After being introduced by master of ceremonies Ashley Griffin, another senior member of the Daemen women's soccer team, Niland laid out the context of today's event - "Women in Sport: Past, Present and Future".  A brief retrospective on Title IX, the legislation passed in 1972 that mandated equal opportunities for women, led Niland to say: "I'm reminded often by women in our community who are older than I am, that not only have the sport participation opportunities been different, but I have had career opportunities never available to them.  And to the young ladies in the room, I will share that you have had and will have greater opportunities than I've had."
 
Meyers Taylor, a two-time Olympic medalist, spoke about the impact that sports has had on her life.  A graduate of George Washington University, Meyers Taylor competed for the Colonials in the sport of softball before becoming an Olympic bobsledder.  She won a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, and added a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games held in Sochi, Russia.
 
She challenged those in attendance by saying, "I wanted to create a legacy.  What kind of legacy do you want to create?  You have an opportunity, a unique opporunity to make history.  Being involved with sports means being a part of something bigger than yourself."
 
Later, Lipinoga took to the podium and laid out the path she took to get to where she is today.  After beginning her collegiate career with a redshirt season at Division I Canisius College, Lipinoga opted to transfer to Daemen right when the college was beginning its transition to Division II membership.  Four years later, Lipinoga developed into a co-captain and one of the most well-respected players on the team, and she talked about the personal journey she took to rediscover her passion for the game.
 
"What I will take from this experience as I move forward is first and foremost that every opportunity presented to me is a chance to experience something new," said Lipinoga, who graduated last December with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Sport Management.  "My experiences at Daemen have prepared me for what is next and that with a positive attitude a lot can be achieved."
 
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Mary Wilson poses for a photo with Bridget
Niland and U.S. Olympian Steve 
Mesler who helped facilitate
today's event
In addition to today's speakers, Mary Wilson, the widow of former Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., was here to accept an award in recognition of her vision to begin Western New York Girls in Sports.  Founded in 2006, and now partnered with United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, the yearly Western New York Girls in Sports event exposes underprivileged youth in the Buffalo-Niagara Region to the positive impact that sports can play in their daily lives.  Several of Daemen's female student-athletes volunteered at the 2015 event held last fall at the State University of New York at Buffalo's (UB) Alumni Arena.
 
The event today came on the heels of Monday's kickoff to Daemen's celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Week when U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke at the Premier Center Cabaret at MusicalFare Theatre on campus.
 
The celebration winds down officially tomorrow, April 9, when Daemen's female student-athletes will join with their counterparts from UB to participate in the United Way's Western New York Girls in Sports Service Day at Alumni Arena.
 
Hosted by Daemen Athletics, the college's National Girls and Women in Sports Week activities honor Daemen female student-athletes, women's sports programs and women who have served as positive role models for female athletes.

For 30 years, the National Girls and Women in Sports celebration has empowered women and girls to embrace physical activities and push past their limits in sports and life.  This year's theme is "Leading the Way," in recognition of individuals and organizations who are on the frontline for girls and women in sports, athletes who have overcome barries, coaches and others who serve as positive examples.



 
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