April 22, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Tuesday, April 22, 2008) - The Southeast Missouri State athletics department will hold their first annual Walk for Women's Athletics this Saturday, April 26 at 9:00 a.m. at Houck Field House.

The mission of the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Athletics is to provide opportunities academically and athletically that will prepare future leaders in all segments of society. Southeast Missouri State is also committed to providing equitable opportunities for all of our student-athletes.

To further this mission, Southeast Missouri State will be hosting the first annual Walk for Women's Athletics on April 26, 2008. We would like to extend an opportunity for individuals and companies to partner together to enhance our women's athletics scholarship fund. This is a great opportunity for your organization to support women's athletics and receive the marketing benefits resulting from the Walk's promotional activities.

At Southeast Missouri State, the women's athletics program is more than practices, games, wins, and losses. Our student-athletes are involved in many aspects of campus and community life. They serve as wonderful role models for area youth. Academics are a crucial ingredient in preparing our women for success. Our female student-athletes have a cumulative grade point average of 3.4, and many have graduated with honors and gone on to be leaders in numerous professional fields.

Your contribution will not only be enhancing educational opportunities for our female student-athletes -- you will be promoting leadership, discipline, and teamwork for the development of our leaders of tomorrow. We would like to encourage your business or organization to be part of this event and look forward to a successful Walk for Women's Athletics on April 26, 2008.

Team sign-ups and donations are still being taken for the event, for more information on the event log onto gosoutheast.com and click on the Walk for Women's Athletics banner.

"We are looking forward to Saturday and the first annual walk for women's athletics," commented Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Women's Athletics Administrator Cindy Gannon. "I would like to take the opportunity to invite everyone to join us on Saturday at 9:00 even if you have not pre registered we can register you that day."

All proceeds from the walk will be used to enhance the women's scholarship program at Southeast and provide an outstanding academic and athletic experience for young women. For further information and registration forms go to gosoutheast.com and click on the Walk for Women's Athletics link or call 573-651-2997.

"This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our student athletes and create more opportunity for female athletes in the future," said Gannon