With nearly 400 people in attendance, the Louisville Women’s Sports Network (subdivision of The Sports Media Team) kicked off its 1st annual Women In Sports Honors (WISH) at the Crowne Plaza on Wednesday night. The event marked the first time that Louisville’s talented female athletes and contributors to women’s athletics were recognized in ceremonious fashion. University of Louisville senior swimmer Kelsi Worrell was named the Athlete of the Year.
“I hope that the people here tonight were really impressed,” said Hall of Fame sports journalist and Executive Editor of The Sports Media Team Billy Reed. He gave the introduction of the featured speaker, who was University of Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich.
Reed continued, “I hope they now have a better understanding of what we’re doing, how we’re trying to promote women’s athletics in a very positive way.”
In addition, 13 local teams were recognized for their success last season and overall strength of program, such as Bullitt East receiving the “Outstanding Competitive Cheer Team Award” and Louisville Male receiving the “Outstanding Softball Team Award”. Amongst winners, Male took away two awards (softball and basketball) and Sacred Heart took three (golf, cross country, and swimming and diving).
The four prominent awards given were: The “Athlete of the Year”, given to University of Louisville student-athlete and American record-breaker Kelsi Worrell; the “Courage Award”, given to Seneca High School senior volleyball player Jeanna Livingston for overcoming her adversity with Type I diabetes; the “Leadership Award”, given by surprise to Tom Jurich for his efforts in advancing equity in women’s athletics; and the “Legacy Award”, given to Spalding University President Tori Murden McClure for her lasting achievements in sport.
Jurich spoke on the challenges he faced when he came in as the new athletic director trying to get the University of Louisville up-to-par with equity for its women’s teams. Nearly 20 years later, he believes it was the strength of his women’s programs that made the strongest case for UofL’s bid into the powerhouse Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
“(WISH) exceeded all of my expectations,” Jurich stated at the conclusion of the event. “First of all, the crowd was phenomenal. Incredibly well organized. To see everybody so engaged in women’s athletics was just so dear to my heart…My award was unbelievable. There are many more deserving people than me, but I’m certainly not going to turn it back. That was really kind of everybody to do that.”
Athlete of the Year winner Kelsi Worrell admitted she was caught off guard when she arrived at the event and noticed most of her team was also there to support her. “I didn’t know! Arthur (Albiero) got them to come here. They kept it a great surprise and I had no idea, so I got a little emotional walking in and seeing all of them.”
Swimming news courtesy of Louisville Swimming & Diving.
Well deserved. This woman is going to be a force on the US National team too!