Jan. 27, 2004

TEMPE, Ariz. -

For more information on Arizona State Girls and Women in Sports Week

In the years preceding, and following the passage of Title IX legislation - which was passed to promote gender equity in athletics - many progressive women have taken a stand to ensure that the legislation was, and is, properly administered. As leaders in this movement, many Valley women took the reins in breaking down gender barriers on the local and national levels. To help celebrate the accomplishments of women in athletics, many of these women will partake in Arizona State University's 2004 ASU Girls and Women in Sports Week (GWSW), from February 4th through February 14th, which will take place on ASU's main campus. ASU encourages you to join us in honoring the women of Arizona who have played a role in paving the way for gender equity in sport.

"ASU GWSW provides an opportunity for ASU's collegiate athletic community to reach out into the greater Valley community to promote the progression of gender equity and teach the importance of participation of girls and women in sport" said Sandy Hatfield-Clubb, Arizona State's senior associate athletics director and senior women's administrator. "GWSW has been a tradition at ASU for eleven (11) years, so we salute the women that have contributed to, and continue its tradition".

Linda Vollstedt - ASU GWSW celebrates Linda Vollstedt as a pioneer in the advancement of women in sports. Vollstedt stood at the helm of the Arizona State University golf program for 21 years. She retired from ASU in June of 2001 after leading the Sun Devils to six NCAA championships in the 1990s, which included three consecutive national titles from 1993-95. Her teams also won nine conference championships, while she coached four individual national champions, 41 All-Americans and 11 U.S. Amateur and Publinks champions. In 2003, the Women's Sports Foundation recognized Vollstedt nationally by presenting her with one of the highest honors bestowed upon a woman in sport - an induction into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.

Vollstedt has served on ASU's GWSW Planning Committee and will be involved in all activities taking place during the GWSW. If you are interested in learning some golf tips from an expert, join us on February 14th for ASU's All-Sports Clinic.

Nona Lee - ASU GWSW celebrates Nona Lee as a leader in the movement toward gender equity in sport. Lee is the founder of the Phoenix Women's Sports Association (PWSA), a non-profit organization, whose mission is to help girls and women in Arizona find power through sports. Currently, Lee serves as Associate General Counsel for the Phoenix Suns, and in that capacity also performs legal services for the Phoenix Mercury, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Arizona Rattlers, America West Arena, Bank One Ballpark and the Dodge Theatre. Nona also sits on the Board of Trustees for the Women's Sports Foundation in New York, a non-profit organization founded by Billie Jean King.

Lee has served on ASU's GWSW Planning Committee and will be involved in all activities taking place during the GWSW.

The Student-Athlete Panel

A power-packed team is scheduled to speak at the student-athlete panel discussion on February 6th at 5:30pm in the Carson Student-Athlete Center on ASU Main Campus. Florencia Szigeti, (Women's swimming) and Patrice Feulner (Women's Soccer), are two of the eight ASU student-athletes who have committed to sharing their insight on accomplishing goals through sport.

Szigeti, a member of the ASU women's swimming team, has earned numerous accolades since being at ASU and will forever hold a place in Sun Devil history. Among her many accomplishments, she is one of the best ASU freestyle swimmers by achieving six All-American honors, including first-team acclaim for the 400 free relay.

Feulner, a member of the ASU women's soccer team, stands as one of the cornerstones of ASU's soccer program. She has started in all but two games in her 62-game career and is ranked second all-time at ASU, in goals with 26. Last season Feulner earned a second-team All Pac-10 Academic honor.

ASU Girls and Women In Sports Week (GWSW) is a national event introducing young girls and women to opportunities in sport. Please join Arizona State University Athletics, Phoenix Women's Sport Association and the ASU Student Recreation Center from February 4th through February 14th, 2004 for a week full of exciting activities open to everyone in the Valley. If you are interested in registering or finding out more about ASU GWSW events, please contact GWSW at (480) 965-3518 or visit our website at www.thesundevils.com. ASU Girls and Women In Sports Week in Tempe is sponsored by APS.

ASU Girls and Women in Sports Week Calendar of Events (admission to most events is complimentary):

February 4, 2004. Phoenix Women's Sports Association (PWSA) Awards Dinner & Silent Auction: 6:00pm, Hyatt Regency-Phoenix For more information, see the PWSA Website at www.phoenixwomenssports.org or contact annie@phoenixwomenssports.com.

February 5, 2004. Women's Basketball Game: ASU Basketball vs. California - 6:30pm, Wells Fargo Arena.

February 6, 2004. Student-Athlete Panel Discussion, Elementary School Awards Ceremony, & Women Gymnastics & Softball Games: Student Athlete Panel & Award Ceremony - 5:30pm, Carson Student Athlete Center. ASU Softball vs. Kansas - 5:00pm Farrington Stadium ASU Softball vs. Northwestern - 7:00pm Farrington Stadium ASU Gymnastics vs. Oregon State - 7:30pm Wells Fargo Arena

February 7, 2004. Basketball Clinic & Softball & Basketball Games: ASU Softball vs. Northwestern - 3:00pm, Farrington Stadium. ASU Basketball vs. Stanford - 1:00pm, Wells Fargo Arena. Basketball Clinic and Related Events - 3:00pm - 6:00pm, Wells Fargo Arena.

February 14, 2004. Girls All-Sports Clinic, Women's Tennis Clinic & Swimming Meet: Girls All-Sports Clinic - 9:00am - 12:30pm, SRC Fields. Billie Jean King World Team Tennis Charities Clinic - 10:00am-12:00pm, SRC Tennis Courts. ASU Swimming vs. Arizona - 12:00pm, Mona Plummer Aquatics Complex.