2. Award Criteria
WILLIAM & MARY
TRIBE CHAMPION FOR LIFE AWARD
This award is given to an alumna of the College for whom competitive
athletics at William and Mary was an influential factor in achieving a
distinguished career, becoming a leader in an impactful philanthropic
endeavor, or achieving
a personal triumph with a lasting impression on others.
The nominee must demonstrate leadership, integrity, fortitude
and excellence in her personal, professional and/or philanthropic
accomplishments.
The nominee must have been a William & Mary varsity letter-winner.
The nominee must have graduated from the College of William & Mary
at least 15 years prior to the Celebration of Women’s Athletics event.
ONE TRIBE AWARD
This award honors a student-athlete who has inspired others through
contributions to her local community and/or non-profit organizations.
The nominee must show a high level of dedication and initiative
to help others grow, develop and achieve their goals.
The nominee must be a William & Mary Young Guarde alumna (’05 -’14).
The nominee must be a varsity letter-winner.
3. Welcome to the sixth annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics at William & Mary
sponsored by the Martin family!
The Celebration of Women’s Athletics (CWA) was created in 2010 to highlight the
impact of Title IX on women’s athletics at W&M, and to recognize the 50 years of
transformative leadership of our own Millie West. Former Director of the Women’s
Athletics Department and the Associate Athletics Director of the combined (coed)
Department, Millie guided W&M into the modern era of competitive, post Title IX
athletics. The principal architect of women’s sports at W&M, Millie continues to
influence us today as an active fundraiser, advocate for athletics and inspiring mentor.
In that spirit of mentorship, today’s event includes a professional networking session
for our student-athletes. TRIBE W.I.N.S., “Tribe Women In Network through Sport”
wascreatedtofosterpersonalandprofessionalrelationshipsbetweenathletes,alumnae
and Tribe supporters. Your participation today will help TRIBE women to Teach,
Renew, Inspire, Build and Empower one another to WIN in life!
The 2015 CWA is proud to honor two exceptional alumnae, Jeri Daniels-Elder ’82
and Kelsey Nawalinski ’11 whose intercollegiate athletic experiences helped to shape
their personal, professional and charitable lives. We also welcome back Julia Martin
’09 who will receive special recognition for her NACWAA “Athletics Administrator
of Tomorrow” Award. And, we are delighted to welcome Cathy Bessant, one of the
most powerful women in banking as our keynote speaker. The philanthropic and
professional accomplishments of each of these women extend far beyond the W&M
campus.Iencourage youtoreadtheirbiosandlistencloselyfortheirwordsofwisdom.
Thank you for your participation as we celebrate the accomplishments, life values, and
lasting relationships that we have established through sport. May the conversations
and presentations today inspire you and nurture your life-long connection with
William & Mary.
We are honored to have you as our guest today. Tribe Pride!
Peel Hawthorne
Associate Athletics Director for Student Services and
Senior Woman Administrator
Celebration of Women’s Athletics
WILLIAM & MARY
4. Program
12:30 p.m. Reception - Heavy Hors D’oeuvres
1:00 p.m.Welcome and Remarks
Terry Driscoll, Athletic Director
Taylor Reveley, President
Peel Hawthorne ’80, Associate A.D. for Student Services/SWA
Kelly Buckley ’05, Assistant Director of Student Career Experience
1:15 p.m. Networking Session
Intermission
2:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker
Cathy Bessant
Global Technology & Operations Executive, Bank of America
Award Presentations
NACWAA Award
Julia Martin ’09
One Tribe Award
Kelsey Nawalinski ’11
Tribe Champion for Life Award
Jeri Daniels-Elder ’82
Closing Remarks
Peel Hawthorne ’80, Associate A.D. for Student Services/SWA
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5. Cathy Bessant, Keynote Speaker
Catherine P. Bessant is a Global Technology & Operations executive at Bank of
America and a member of the company’s executive management team.
Since 2010, Bessant has been responsible for delivering end-
to-end technology and operating services across the company through a
team of more than 110,000 employees and contractors in 34 countries.
Bessant’s team also oversees the company’s business continuity and
information security strategies and policies.
Prior to her current position, Bessant was president of
Global Product Solutions and Global Treasury Services; chief
marketing officer; president of Consumer Real Estate and Community
Development Banking; National Small Business Segment executive;
and president of Bank of America, Florida. She joined Bank of America
as a corporate banker in Texas in 1982.
Bessant currently ranks No. 6 on American Banker’s “25
Most Powerful Women in Banking” list. She was named one of Computerworld’s “Premier
100” IT leaders, and also was No. 3 on the 2014 Institutional Investor Tech 50 list of financial
services leaders in technological achievement and innovation.
Participants
WILLIAM & MARY
After graduating, Julia Martin, a native of Woodside, California, served as an assistant
director of media relations in charge of photo and video production. During her tenure in the
Tribe’s Media Relations Department, Julia created and executed a wide range of branding
initiatives for the athletics department. Additionally, she served as the key departmental
contact for each of the 23 varsity sports for all video and photographic services, including the
conceptualizing and creation of marketing posters and graphic design.
In the fall of 2011, Martin served as the department liaison for the
women’s lacrosse team, executing all the responsibilities typical of a
head coach while the team was in a leadership transition.
In the fall of 2012, she began her master’s degree program in
Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania while also
becoming a volunteer assistant coach for the Quakers women’s lacrosse
team. During her time with head coach Karin Brower-Corbett (W&M
’92) and her staff, the Quakers won two Ivy League championships and
two Ivy League Tournament titles, reaching the NCAA Tournament
both seasons. Julia earned her master’s degree in May 2014 and was
hired in July 2014 as the Coordinator of Athletics for the Division of
Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn, where she continues to
work today.
Martin, a kinesiology major and art minor, was a four-year member of the William
and Mary lacrosse squad and a key contributor on teams that finished at the top of the Colonial
Athletic Association regular season standings in back-to-back seasons (2008 and 2009). She
served as a co-captain for her senior season and helped lead the team to a 6-1 league record and
the top-seed in the CAA Championships.
Julia Martin ’09, NACWAA Recipient
6. Kelsey Nawalinski ’11
One Tribe Award
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Kelsey Nawalinski graduated from William & Mary in 2011. While an undergraduate, she
earned her varsity letters in field hockey and captained the squad
in 2010. She earned numerous accolades in her playing career,
including the Tribe’s President’s Award, given annually for
Sportsmanship, Citizenship, and Leadership. She was named to the
Colonial Athletic Association’s Academic All-Conference Team
in 2010 and was a member of the CAA’s All-Rookie squad in
2008. Off the field, Kelsey volunteered as a youth leader at the
Williamsburg Community Chapel and made dual trips to Nicaragua
to serve at a children’s home in Managua. She graduated from
W&M with a degree in neuroscience and is currently working at
the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as the Neurosurgery
Clinical Research Coordinator.
Prior to her current role, Kelsey was the assistant field hockey coach at her alma mater Villa
Maria Academy in Malvern, and then worked internationally at the Banharnjamsaiwittaya
School 1 in Donchedi, Thailand. There she taught English and started the first girl’s soccer
league for the area. After Thailand, she spent time in India where she tutored math and science
in a children’s community program and volunteered at a school for disabled children. She
remains active in her current community, where she serves Sunday meals to the homeless and
is a team leader in the Back on My Feet program of Philadelphia. In this role, Kelsey leads 5:30
AM runs three times a week with the goal of inspiring transformation in the lives of residents
of Philadelphia’s transitional housing facilities. For her efforts she was named the BoMF Non
Residential (Volunteer) Member of the Year in 2014.
This past summer Kelsey served as a trip leader for Putney Student Travels, where she led a
group of high school students on a community service trip on the island of Dominica. In this
role, she worked closely with the local Village Council to coordinate projects and plan cultural
activities.
In the short time since Kelsey’s stellar career at W&M ended, her passion for servant leadership
has benefitted communities literally around the world. Her journey will continue this fall as she
enters nursing school in Philadelphia.
To nominate award candidates please contact the Special Events Office at (757) 221-1552
7. Jeri Daniels-Elder ’82
Jeri Daniels-Elder ’82 was a four-year member of the William and Mary Track and Field
team and a four-time AIAW All American in the shot put and discus. In 1982, she was the
US National Champion in the shot put and was selected as the
Southland Corporation Olympia Award Recipient. Daniels-Elder
held the W&M school record in both shot put (47’-7.25”) and
discus (147’-4”) for more than 20 years.
After college, Daniels-Elder enjoyed a very successful coaching
career as an assistant at Penn State (‘84-’94) and served several
US teams. She was the USA Throws Coach at the 1990 and 1992
USA vs Great Britain meets, the USA Head Women’s Coach at
the 1996 Junior Championships in Sydney, and the Throws Coach
at the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Spain. Jeri notes the
highlight of her career was coaching throws at the 2004 Olympics
in Athens, Greece.
Daniels-Elder’s contributions to field events went far beyond coaching. From 1988 to 2004
she served as the Women’s Hammer Throw Development Coordinator. In this role, Jeri
helped bring acceptance of the event to national and international levels. Women’s hammer
was included in the World Championships for the first time in 1999 and in the Olympic
games in 2000. Also in 2000, Jeri produced a hammer throw instruction video that is
still in use today. She served as the President of the Women’s Track and Field Coaches
Association from 1990-92 and was instrumental in helping inspire young women to enter the
collegiate coaching ranks.
Upon return from the 2004 Olympic Games, Daniels-Elder promised her children (then
ages 9 and 6) that she would focus on their activities and development. So she stepped away
from her involvement with USA Track and Field and devoted her time and energy to the
local community. She has since played leadership roles in many organizations including
the American Association of University Women, the Child Birth Education Association,
Girl Scouts and Special Olympics. Presently, Jeri is a member of State College Area School
District Fine Arts Booster Club and the 4H Council.
Jeri’s achievements in athletics, leadership, and philanthropy are truly outstanding. In 1994
she was elected to the W&M Athletic Hall of Fame.
Tribe Champion for Life Award
WILLIAM & MARY
To nominate award candidates please contact the Special Events Office at (757) 221-1552
8. Where We Stand
WILLIAM & MARY
Number of endowed women’s scholarships given by
former female athletes11
Former female athletes who gave $1,000 or more last year57
Percentage of women who donated back to their sport last year23
Women who donated back to their sport last year815
Former male athletes who gave $1,000 or more last year 256
Number of endowed men’s scholarships given by former
male athletes 207
Men who donated back to their sport last year 1518
Percentage of men who donated back to their sport last year 29
9. By The Numbers
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NCAA tournament appearances by W&M women’s teams72
W&M women’s National Team Championships2
W&M female All-Americans377
CAA W&M women’s Scholar-Athletes of the Year19
Percentage of women coaching women’s sports today40
Number of W&M female athletic scholarships available
prior to 19770
Percentage of women coaching women’s sports in 1974 90
Past Phi Beta Kappa inductees 143
Conference championships won by W&M women’s teams 78
W&M women’s National Players of the Year 3
W&M women’s individual National Champions 12
11. William and Mary admits 24 women, becoming the first coeducational state college in Virginia.
The class includes Martha Elizabeth Barksdale, who became the “Mother of W&M Women’s
Athletics” before retiring in 1962.
Basketball, field hockey and tennis teams are established.
Varsity swimming begins for the women with a 49-match winning streak that would last until
1970.
The Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) is formed, sponsoring its first
national championships.
Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act is passed by Congress.
Field Hockey takes fourth at the AIAW Division I National Championships,
Tennis places third at the Small College National Championships, and lacrosse and field hockey
each place fifth in Division I AIAW Nationals.
Mary Catherine Murano (tennis) wins the Division II singles title.
Women’s golf captures the AIAW Division II national title for the first women’s national
championship in school history. The tennis team places fourth in Division II. Soccer begins an
NCAA-best streak of 33 consecutive winning seasons that continue through today.
The NCAA sponsors women’s championships, leading to the dissolution of the AIAW within a
few years. Tennis finishes second at the AIAW Division II Championships, and lacrosse takes
fifth in Division I. Individual champions abound as well, with Cherie Dow (tennis, singles), Jeri
Daniels (outdoor track and field, shot put), and Erin Sheehey (swimming, 100 breaststroke) all
winning AIAW Division II titles.
Gymnastics wins the NAIA National Championship. Five Tribe athletes earn All-America status
on the bar alone.
The volleyball team wins a record 56-straight games against CAA teams. The streak would
encompass seven-straight conference championships. At the time, the winning streak is the fifth-
longest ever in Division I volleyball.
W&M merges the Men’s and Women’s Athletic Departments. Millie West is named the Associate
Director.
Gymnast Jeanne Foster wins the NCAA Division II all-around title, advancing to the Division I
Championships as well.
Soccer reaches the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time. Megan McCarthy is named the National
Player of the Year in soccer.
Natalie Neaton becomes the second Tribe player to be named National Soccer Player of the Year.
Tennis ranked a best-ever No. 8 in the year-end polls. The Tribe would also reach No. 8 in 1998
and 2003.
Lauren Nikolaus is named National Player of the Year in tennis.
Swimming wins the CAA Championship, the first conference title in school history for either
mens or womens swimming. Megan Moulton-Levy and Katarina Zoricic (tennis) finish second in
doubles at the NCAA Championships.
Tennis, track and field, and cross country all win CAA titles and advance to the NCAA
Championships. Elaina Balouris is an All-American in both cross country and track and field,
and teammates Emily Stites wins two U.S. Junior national titles in cross country and track as a
freshman. Stites also captains the U.S. Junior team at the World Cross Country Championships.
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Milestones in Women’s Athletics
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