A recent Peach Belt Conference event brought together about three dozen female student-athletes who may be interested in a career in collegiate athletics to interact with professional women from the league office and other institutions.

The event, known as the Women in Athletics Seminar, was conducted January 27 at Augusta State University.

“The Peach Belt is about more than what happens on the field or on the court,” said Commissioner David Brunk. “The greater role is to have a positive influence on the lives of our student-athletes beyond their years at our member schools. This seminar is just one small way we are beginning to demonstrate that role, by offering the young women who play sports in our league the chance to see what opportunities athletics has to offer them beyond graduation.”

Georgia College & State University President Dorothy Leland, the only female president in the Peach Belt, gave the opening remarks and sat on the morning panel.

“It was a great event, and I applaud the Peach Belt for hosting it,” Leland said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for female student-athletes to connect with women administrators, coaches and others who have made a career in college athletics.”

Joining Leland on the panel were Georgia Southwestern State University AD Jaclyn Kaylor; North Georgia College & State University Associate AD and Senior Woman Administrator Lindsay Reeves, South Carolina Aiken Assistant Sports Information Director Paula Rober and special guest Emily Deitz, the director of promotions at the University of Georgia.

Terri Steeb, NCAA director of Division II, gave the keynote address.

“Whatever a conference can do in a united way to bring to the forefront the opportunities that women have in collegiate athletics is always worthwhile,” said Steeb. “There are many women in school now interested in pursuing a career, whether it be in coaching or in an administrative role who have no way to get any information, which makes events like this so important. There’s a lot of passion in these student-athletes and this is a great starting point for those who may want to pursue a career in athletics.”

The afternoon panel featured Lander head volleyball coach Carla Decker, Peach Belt women’s basketball official Kristie Weed and Augusta State Assistant Athletic Trainer Lisa Cummins. After the panel presentations, student-athletes were able to speak in smaller groups with the panelists in round-table discussions.

“I love athletics and I wanted to see what kind of careers were available,” said South Carolina Aiken senior basketball player Megan Starnes. “I really enjoyed the panels and getting all that information. It opened my eyes as to how much opportunity there is for whatever you want to do.”