Walk to draw attention to Southeast's women's programs

Cindy Gannon is excited about what shapes up to be another successful Southeast Missouri State Walk for Women's Athletics on Saturday.

"It's just great. I can't believe we're in our third year," said Gannon, a Southeast associate athletic director. "The response has been fabulous."

Walk for Women's Athletics was started by Gannon, who wanted to provide an event that would raise awareness of Southeast's women's athletic program while also raising money for the university's women's athletics scholarship fund.

Money has been pledged over the past year, and Walk for Women's Athletics will culminate with a 30-minute walk through campus beginning and ending at Houck Field House.

"I was looking to do something to promote our women's athletic programs, to highlight all the positive things these young women do," said Gannon, a Southeast graduate who spent 16 years as the school's volleyball coach and is in her fifth year as an administrator. "There is so much more than what they do in their sports. These young ladies are leaders and role models, great student-athletes. I wanted to try and highlight that."

Saturday's third annual walk will begin around 9:30 a.m., after a 9 a.m. check-in. After the walk, there will be a light brunch at Houck Field House, along with presentations that include door prizes and special prizes.

"Our first two years we had about 250 people walk," Gannon said. "If we get 300 people [Saturday] I'll be very excited."

Gannon said people can donate any amount of money and even those not wishing to donate money can walk Saturday.

"It's not just the financial support we're looking for. That's important, but we want to show support for our women's athletes, for people to have a chance to come out and meet them," Gannon said. "And we won't just have our women's athletes there. We'll have athletes and coaches from all of our sports as well as administrators.

"And although we're highlighting women's athletics, the proceeds from this walk benefit all student athletes."

Gannon, who originally modeled the event after similar walks that have taken place at other universities, said about $25,000 was raised two years ago. The struggling economy contributed to only about $15,000 being raised last year.

"We're hoping we get back up to the 20,000 or 25,000 level this year," Gannon said.

Gannon encourages supporters of the walk to make it a full day of Southeast athletics.

There also will be home softball and baseball doubleheaders that day, with a free tailgate featuring hot dogs and soft drinks at the softball complex.

"We've got a lot going on that weekend and people can spend the day with us," Gannon said. "There's going to be plenty to do. We're making it a theme -- spend a day with the Redhawks."