CORTLAND, N.Y.- The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) hosted its first professional development conference last Sunday, September 25. The event was entitled "Engaging and Empowering Today's Female Leaders in Intercollegiate Athletics."  

The event, held in Liverpool, garnered the attendance of more than forty distinguished members of college athletics, including athletic directors, coaches, and senior woman administrators (SWA) from New York and neighboring states. It was an excellent networking event that allowed for attendees to discuss ideas and develop a better understanding of the importance and role of SWAs in college athletics.  

Speakers at the event included Judy Sweet, Co-Chair of the Gender Equity Task Force, who kicked off the event with an in-depth conversation of Title IX. Next, Dianne Murphy, a former Athletic Director at Columbia University and the University of Denver, delivered dialogue on contract and salary negotiation.

The afternoon session saw Oneonta Athletic Director Tracey Ranieri discuss the topic of performance programs and program evaluations. Ranieri had a panel of three join her which included Julie Lenhart (Cortland's head softball coach), Lori Runksmeier (Eastern Connecticut State University Athletic Director) and Judy Sweet. Kimberley Keenan-Kirkpatrick, Deputy Athletic Director at Syracuse University, then talked about supervising sports. 

The conference was wrapped up by Michelle Manning, Associate Athletic Director at Ithaca College, who delivered an informative speech on transitioning from a coaching role to an administrative role.

Response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive and SUNYAC hopes to bolster the event for next time.

Comments from participants:

"Thanks so much for this – it was an AWESOME workshop and something I hope continues in the future."

"I enjoyed meeting new people and learning from all of the speaker's and participant's experiences."