FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University Department of Athletics honored Delise S. O'Meally, the NCAA Director of Governance and International Affairs, with the annual Pioneer Award during the National Girls and Women in Sports Day luncheon.
O'Meally was honored during the luncheon and had a chance to speak with female student-athletes about how far the sports world has come since the inception of Title IX just over 40 years ago.
"I approached this in two ways," said O'Meally. "I wanted to give a little bit of a history, to make sure that our female student-athletes today really understand how far we've come from and the success that we have seen, but that certainly we still have a long way to go. I also wanted to encourage them on an individual basis to think about their future and careers as they go forward. I gave them three words to think about. I asked them to think about
opportunity and recognizing when it comes. I asked them also to think about
change and to be willing to accept change. And finally, I asked them to think about
preparation, and to ensure that as they finish their collegiate careers, they work hard to prepare themselves for greatness."
O'Meally was later honored during pregame festivities with the game ball before the men's and women's basketball games against Lynn. At halftime of the men's game, O'Meally was interviewed on 640 Sports and spoke about the importance of recognizing our progress since Title IX's inception.
"Title IX turned 40 in 2012 and we've made tremendous strides," stated O'Meally. "But we certainly aren't where we need to be in terms of opportunities for women in sports across the board nationwide. I think Nova does a great job, but that may not the case everywhere else. So I think it's important for girls and women to remember where we are coming from and ensure that we continue making great progress."
O'Meally has worked in athletics administration for 21 years and currently is in her 17th year of service at the NCAA national office. She works closely with the NCAA Executive Committee, oversees Association-wide committees and manages the administrative structure that supports over 127 standing committees. Additionally, she spearheads the international relations efforts at the NCAA national office. She is the vice president of the United States International University Sports Federation; vice president of the Organización Deportiva Universitaria Panamericana (the Pan-American Collegiate Sports Federation); serves on the Federation for International University Sport Commission on the Development of University Sport. She also serves on the board of the Ball State University Center for Peace and Conflict, and recently served as Deputy Head of Delegation for Team USA's participation in the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
After O'Meally spoke at the luncheon, NSU honored tennis senior and Miss New Mexico
Kamryn Blackwood (Farmington, N.M.) with the annual Flo Hyman award, recognizing her work with Houses for Hope, where she serves as a board member. The mission of Houses for Hope is to build a support system for orphan homes in African countries and help them create self-sustaining environments.
"It was an honor to host and be part of NSU's annual NGWSD celebration luncheon," said Kelley Kish, NSU's Senior Woman Administrator and Associate Athletics Director, Compliance, Sport Admin. & Internal Ops. "To look around the room of our female student-athletes and know all they have accomplished in the classroom, playing venues and our community as a Shark truly epitomizes what the day is about. We celebrate them all year long and today is a nice way to highlight such a special group."
For a list of past Pioneer and Flo Hyman award winners, click
HERE.
Below is a photo gallery from the National Girls and Women in Sports Luncheon.
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