University of Minnesota Athletics
Alum Podominick Receives USATF Grant
3/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Golden Gopher women's track & field alum Liz Podominick is one of 23 recipients of the USA Track & Field Foundation John W. James Endowment grant, the USATF Foundation recently announced.
The USATF Foundation is providing John W. James grantees with an unprecedented $170,000 in 2015. The grants are aimed to support elite athletes competing on an international level with the goal of easing financial worries, so athletes can focus solely on the goal of making the Olympic team for the next Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Podominick, a native of Lakeville, Minn., graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2008. She was a two-sport athlete, winning multiple Big Ten titles in both the shot put and discus, and also playingin the Final Four as a member of the women's basketball team. She was a two-time Academic All-American, Academic All-Big Ten honoree for four straight years (2005-08) and a 2008 Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipient.
Podominick played basketball for three seasons at the U before deciding to focus solely on track & field. She won Big Ten titles in indoor shot put (2008), outdoor shot put (2005 and 2006), and discus (2005). Podominick still holds the Minnesota program record in the outdoor shot put at 16.30m. She also rank third in the indoor shot put at 16.11 meters and fifth in the discus at 54.30m.
The John W. James Endowment was developed to remember and honor USATF Foundation Director Mark James' late father, John W. James. It was fond memories of time spent together as fans in addition to their joint passion for track & field that inspired Mark to keep his father's spirit alive in the next generation. The endowment is used to fund elite grants for men and women track athletes in the throwing events, which are traditionally under-funded, and to promote and highlight the throwing events at major competitions.
USATF Foundation Director Mark James explains, "The true test of the dream we have for the John W. James Grant for the throwing events is going to be the upcoming Olympic year. We are striving to have Americans on the medal platform in unprecedented numbers in these events, and now is the time to make the financial commitment to our athletes to help them get there. This is our dream, to help them realize their dreams."
To be eligible for the grant, athletes must meet minimum performance and financial need standards. The Foundation Elite Athlete Grant Program contributes to the pursuit of world-class performances by American post-collegiate track and field athletes.
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