HAMILTON – Colgate University alumni, friends, family, student-athletes, and members of the community joined together on campus for an exciting weekend of special events celebrating 50 years of women's athletics at the University.

The weekend commenced at the Class of 1965 Arena with a reception that included remarks from Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator Juliana Smith and women's basketball student-athlete Alexa Brodie '23.

"This weekend was an opportunity to highlight the role that equity, access, and representation play in contributing to the success of the institution," Smith said. "From honoring and engaging with many of Colgate athletics' living legends to witnessing our student-athletes shine in their competitions and as speakers throughout the weekend, all who were in attendance witnessed the magical way sport connects people, develops leaders, and changes the world."

As part of the weekend celebration, Colgate welcomed back its five Patriot League Trailblazers of Distinction (Vicky Chun '91, MA'94, Dorothy Donaldson '05, Thayer Lavielle '93, Autumn McKenzie '97, and Dr. Merrill Miller). 

The Patriot League worked closely with staff from each institution to identify and honor individual women and special teams for contributions to their respective athletics departments, campuses, and society at large in conjunction with the 50-year anniversary of Title IX. Colgate's trailblazers were honored during halftime at the women's basketball game against Bucknell on Saturday.

One of the weekend's many highlights featured a moderated panel discussion, during which the trailblazers reflected on their experiences at Colgate, discussed their career paths, and interacted with current and former student-athletes, coaches, and members of the community. President Brian W. Casey provided remarks for a packed audience inside Huntington Gymnasium. 

"It truly was a special weekend on campus to recognize and honor the contributions that so many women have made to athletics at Colgate," said Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics Yariv Amir '01. "It was a moment to look back at our history and thank those early pioneers whose determination and perseverance laid the groundwork for us to enjoy the present as our women student-athletes contribute, succeed, and thrive." 

Colgate athletics also hosted a free clinic to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day in collaboration with Strong Girls United. Female student-athletes hosted the clinic, which focused on confidence and empowerment while playing some sports along the way.

The weekend celebration included several home athletics events, including women's hockey vs. Yale and Brown, women's basketball vs. Bucknell, and men's hockey vs. Cornell. 

Trailblazers Panel Discussion
Moderated by Joanne Spigner '76

Joanne Spigner '76:
"If you played in the 80s, the 90s, the 2000s, and 2010s, you helped build that trail. Every woman who played a sport here, at some point, you are part of the foundation that created what we are today. To the student-athletes in the room, we are so proud of you." 

"You don't become a trailblazer by playing it safe. All of us face opportunities in our day-to-day lives, in our families, on our teams, in our workplaces, and in our schools, to take a step and be bold and brave. And that's the thread we are going to carry through our conversation. Being bold and brave." 

Why is it important to be bold and brave?

Thayer Lavielle '93: 
"Being bold and brave is the only way that change really happens. I don't mean something as meaningful as a lawsuit. I mean in our every day, in doing the littlest things that are going to make a difference for somebody in our lives. Sometimes it's grand gestures and sometimes it's the smallest gestures that matter." 

What stands out during your time at Colgate and as a softball player?

Dorothy Donaldson '05:
"The thing that has lasted throughout the years is the community. I didn't know anyone when I came up here. I came up from Florida. I was immediately embraced as soon as I walked on campus. 'Hello, hi, how are you doing' — that meant the world. I thought to myself, 'I'm going to be OK here.' Making it OK to be me here and accepting me for who I am was instrumental for me at that age. It has meant a lot."

When did you know you wanted to pursue such a strong leadership role, and how did your Colgate experience influence that?

Vicky Chun '91, MA'94:
"Being a student-athlete at Colgate influenced everything. I had such a great experience. Janet Little, our coach here, didn't share the struggles with us. We didn't know any better. It brought us closer. I wanted to go into coaching. I wanted to give other volleyball players the same great experience I had."

You mentioned … following a life with urgency and intention. Can you talk about what that means to you and why you take the time to spread that word as a speaker and a blogger and make sure others benefit from your insights? And how might Colgate have formed some of that?

Autumn McKenzie '97
"Colgate is a huge part of my existence. I've such a full heart for this place because it continues to be present in my life through the connections I make with students and other alumni. This is something that was not a one-time event. This is how I live my life and Colgate is a big, huge part of that."

Talk about your professional choice — where you made a choice and it wasn't working out the way you wanted. Talk about how it played out for you. 

Merrill Miler:
"When I first came here, we had a very small outdoor education program. We had a very small off-campus study program. Well, we now have 10 groups outside of Colgate, overseas, now. This May, we have a group going to Uganda. We have a group going to Namibia. We have a group going to Uzbekistan. I continue to learn and learn and learn about the health issues of all of those places and how to make sure everybody is going to be well during those travels. It's just one long fabulous learning experience, where I get to feed off the energy of so many people."