Second stroll for Walk for Women's Athletics

~ Saturday's event is designed to raise money and awareness for women's sports at Southeast Missouri State.

Cindy Gannon had few complaints about Southeast Missouri State's first Walk for Women's Athletics.

Gannon is confident of even more success when the second annual event is held Saturday.

"I was elated with the way things went last year and I'm looking for us to have another great day," said Gannon, a Southeast associate athletic director.

Walk for Women's Athletics was started by Gannon, who sought an event that would raise awareness of Southeast's women's athletic program while also raising money for the university's women's athletics scholarship fund.

Money has been pledged over the past year, and Walk for Women's Athletics will culminate Saturday with a 30-minute walk through campus beginning and ending at Houck Field House.

"I just wanted to do something to promote our women's athletic programs, to highlight all the positive things our women [athletes] do," said Gannon, a Southeast graduate who spent 16 years as the school's volleyball coach and is in her fourth year as an administrator. "There is so much more than what they do in their sports. These ladies are leaders and role models, great student-athletes. We want to highlight that."

Saturday's walk will begin around 9:30 a.m., after a 9 a.m. check-in. After the walk, there will be a light brunch at Houck Field House, along with presentations that include door prizes and special prizes.

"Last year we had about 250 people walk," Gannon said. "Hopefully we'll have about the same amount."

Gannon said people can donate any amount of money they like -- no matter how small -- and even those not wishing to donate money can simply show up Saturday and walk.

"It's more than the financial support. We welcome that, but more than that we want to show support for our women's athletes, let people come out and meet them," Gannon said.

Gannon, who modeled the event after similar walks that have taken place at other universities, said more than $25,000 was raised last year. She's hopeful of a comparable amount this time, even with the struggling state of the economy.

"I thought the response last year was wonderful. Hopefully we can build on it," she said. "Given the economy, I'd be very happy if we could match that amount. Of course, we would love to go over it."

All proceeds from the event will go toward the Southeast women's athletics scholarship fund.

Gannon said all donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

Anybody seeking more information, or to pledge a donation, should call Gannon at 651-2997. Pledge forms are also available online at GoSoutheast.com.