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Women’s Sports Foundation’s First President and Hall of Fame Swimmer, Donna de Varona, Selected to Moderate the Michael Phelps Event at Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
December 5, 2008
Adelphi University is proud to announce that Women’s Sports Foundation’s first president and chair, and current chair of its government relations initiative Donna de Varona will introduce and moderate the question and answer session with fellow U.S. swimming gold medalist and record-holder Michael Phelps on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the University’s new state-of-the-art Center for Recreation and Sports, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY.
"Adelphi University is pleased to have the Women’s Sports Foundation and Donna de Varona join us as part of this exciting evening," said Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott. "Adelphi shares a commitment and common mission to ensure access and equal opportunity in sports."
Ms. de Varona who won two gold medals at the 1964 Games, in the 400-meter individual medley and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, was named the most outstanding woman athlete in the world by the Associated Press in that same year. She broke an Olympic record in the 400 IM, and the relay team broke a world record. She was the youngest swimmer to qualify for the 1960 Games at age 13 and by the end of her career, set a total of 18 world's fastest times. In recognition of her athletic achievements, Ms. de Varona has been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and was previously awarded the Olympic Order, the highest honor presented by the International Olympic Committee.
When Billie Jean King founded the Women's Sports Foundation in 1974, it was Donna de Varona who joined her in leading the organization, serving as the organization's first president and chair. She offered guidance during the organization's infancy helping to establish the Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards and annual visits to Washington to educate Congress about Title IX and its importance in providing equitable sports opportunities. The Women's Sports Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to ensuring equal access for all girls and women in sports and fitness.
Ms. de Varona is also an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and two-time Gracie Award recipient for excellence in broadcasting. She has covered 17 summer and winter Games on both television and radio. She is currently working with the Chicago 2016 bid committee and is a member of the prestigious International Olympic Committee’s Women in Sports Commission.
To learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation visit www.womenssportsfoundation.org.
To learn more about Adelphi University, its new Center for Recreation and Sports, and athletics program, visit www.adelphi.edu.
About Adelphi University: Adelphi University, chartered in 1896, was the first institution of higher education for the liberal arts and sciences on Long Island. Through its schools and programs—The College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, and the Schools of Business, Nursing, and Social Work—the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,500 students from 41 states and 63 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.
Media Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Kali Chan
Media Relations Director
p - 516.877.4040
f - 516.877.3266
e - chan@adelphi.edu
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