I consider it a great honor to accept the position of Honorary Chair for the 2009 Maverick Walk for Women’s Scholarships and look forward to helping build on the past successes of this great event. My goal is to spread the word about the fun and value of the Women’s Walk so as to increase both the number of walkers and sponsors. I hope to greet many new participants at our April 18th Walk.
The goal of the Maverick Walk is to raise money for women's scholarships. The MSU Athletic Department has 12 women's teams and over 300 female athletes. Giving female student-athletes the opportunity for both a great education and high quality athletic competition comes at a cost. Since MSU and the State of Minnesota do not provide any scholarship assistance, the Athletic Department must raise these dollars through events and sponsorships. By participating in the Walk, you are giving a gift to female student-athletes. Females with the drive to excel in life and the desire to compete athletically can accomplish both goals with your help.
In the 2008 “Women’s Walk” which was held this past April 12th, almost $77,000 cash was raised through donations from the “walkers”, from the women athletes’ pre-Walk team campaign and from the many generous business sponsors. The family of Caty Delwiche, an athlete tragically lost in October 2007 and for whom the 2008 “Walk” was dedicated, donated an additional $25,000 cash. An endowed scholarship in Caty’s name has been established and begins providing scholarship assistance to a deserving female athlete starting fall 2008. Helping also to make the “Walk” a big success were the In-kind (non-cash) contributions of just under $90,000. With a firm foundation and the encouragement and support from active community women, men and their families, progressive business partners and the MSU Athletic Department coaches and staff, the next WALK will further the goal of helping female athletes gain an education and a successful start in life.
The Athletic Department is pleased to have Karen Ostermann serving in the role of Honorary Chair for the 2009 Women’s Walk. Karen is a Loan Officer at Wells Federal Bank in Mankato and is active in the Cavaliers of the Greater Mankato Growth and in the Business & Professional Women’s organization. She will assume the position of President of the ISJ-MHS Auxiliary in 2009 in addition to heading up the 2009 “Women’s Walk.” She looks forward to making the next “Women’s Walk” an even bigger success.
