Canes Celebrate WoMen's Athletics

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami Athletics department held its Inaugural Celebration of Women’s Athletics Luncheon Sunday afternoon prior to the women’s basketball team’s matchup with Florida State.

Over 200 packed individuals packed the Multipurpose Banquet Room at the BankUnited Center, which honored and paid tribute to women’s athletics at the University of Miami.

“I want to thank Hilarie Bass, Barbara Havenick and Laurie Silvers for their leadership in helping to plan such an important event,” Blake James said. “We have an outstanding group of student-athletes at the University of Miami, and the opportunity to introduce some of our University’s best ambassadors to the community is an exciting one. I encourage everyone to come out and support this wonderful event.”

Miami President Donna Shalala was honored as a distinguished female in the Miami community and her role in leadership development.

The program featured comments from Miami Women’s Basketball Head Coach Katie Meier, Athletics Director Blake James, women’s soccer student-athlete Shannon McCarthy, former diving student-athlete Brittany Viola Gonzalez and Board of Trustee member Brittany Viola Gonzalez.

The department also honored Jassany Williams (women’s basketball), Daniela Darquea (women’s golf), Caitlin Lowe (women’s rowing), Shannon McCarthy (women’s soccer), Thea Vock (women’s diving), My Friedell (women’s swimming), Stephanie Wagner (women’s tennis), Jamika Glades (women’s track and field), Lea Johnson (women’s track and field) and Savanah Leaf (women’s volleyball) as finalists for the Donna E. Shalala Women’s Student Athlete Award.