Williams Named Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the Year
Dec. 1, 2006
Indianapolis, Ind. (hurricanesports.com) – Former University of Miami great and 2005 World champion Lauryn Williams has been named Visa Humanitarian Athlete of the Year by USA Track & Field. Williams will be honored December 2 at the 2006 Jesse Owens Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. The ceremony is held in conjunction with USA Track & Field’s 2006 Annual Meeting November 29-December 3 in Indianapolis.
A 2004 finance graduate from the University of Miami, Williams contributes her time and resources to many charitable causes. She volunteers at Arcola Lakes Elementary School in Miami, Florida, assisting a class of deaf students who are teaching her sign language, and during the holiday season last December she donated a total of $10,000 to Miami area families who were affected by hurricanes, making it much easier for them fulfill their Christmas wishes.
Earlier this year, Williams set up a scholarship fund, the Lauryn Williams Dynamic Female Athlete Scholarship Fund, to assist emerging female athletes in their quest for academic and athletic excellence. In April, Williams introduced her Fast Flakes breakfast cereal, and a portion of the proceeds from sales go to her scholarship fund. Williams has also pledged to donate $1,000 to her scholarship fund every time she runs “sub-11” seconds in a 100-meter race.
After helping to launch the program in Miami in 2004, Williams also continues to be heavily involved in community service across the country as a part of USATF’s “Be A Champion” youth outreach program promoting fitness, fair play and the benefits of physical activity.
“Lauryn embodies some of the highest values of our sport and of society,” said USATF CEO Craig Masback said. “As great of an athlete as she is, Lauryn is an even more remarkable human being. Her ability to translate her own success into making a positive influence on others is an example for all of us to follow.”
“As a long-standing partner of USA Track & Field, Visa is proud to recognize Lauryn for dedicating herself to empowering others,” said Michael Lynch, senior vice president, Visa USA. “Lauryn continues to inspire on and off the track, and we’re proud to recognize her with the Visa Humanitarian of the Year Award.”
One of the most decorated track athletes in UM history, Williams was an 11-time BIG EAST champion, a nine-time All-American, and the 2004 NCAA National Champion in the 100-meters while competing for the Hurricanes from 2002-2004.
She has won eight medals while representing the United States in international competitions including the gold medal in the 100-meters at the 2005 World Championships and the silver medal in the 100-meters at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
