University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Athletics Hosts W.I.L.L. Mentor Appreciation Event
12/8/2020 6:39:00 PM | Student-Athlete Development
Gopher Athletics held a Women Invested Leadership and Learning Mentor appreciation event Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The event concluded the W.I.L.L. programming for the 2020 calendar year.
The event started with a welcome from Schwan's Food Company College Relations Manager Sarah Rohne. Executive Associate Athletics Director Julie Manning added opening remarks, while head women's basketball coach Lindsay Whalen also spoke to the group. Cross Country, Track & Field student-athlete Courtney West thanked all of the W.I.L.L. mentors for their work, while Schwan's CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios and Executive Vice President Scott Peterson also spoke to the group about their continued efforts with the program.
W.I.L.L. is a partnership between the University of Minnesota, Schwan's Corporate Giving Foundation, and the Schwan's Company. The mission of the programming is to empower young women through critical job competencies, customized mentoring, and transformational leadership. Student-athletes meet periodically with mentors and alumnae within the local Twin Cities business community to provide professional development.
W.I.L.L. began as a partnership between University of Minnesota Athletics and Schwan's Company in 2014 with 25 student-athletes from soccer. Since then, the professional development has grown to more than 300 student-athletes representing all Gopher women's programs (soccer, gymnastics, hockey, golf, tennis, cross country, track & field, rowing, volleyball, softball, basketball and swimming & diving).
Programming will continue next semester. Stay tuned to gophersports.com for more details!
The event started with a welcome from Schwan's Food Company College Relations Manager Sarah Rohne. Executive Associate Athletics Director Julie Manning added opening remarks, while head women's basketball coach Lindsay Whalen also spoke to the group. Cross Country, Track & Field student-athlete Courtney West thanked all of the W.I.L.L. mentors for their work, while Schwan's CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios and Executive Vice President Scott Peterson also spoke to the group about their continued efforts with the program.
W.I.L.L. is a partnership between the University of Minnesota, Schwan's Corporate Giving Foundation, and the Schwan's Company. The mission of the programming is to empower young women through critical job competencies, customized mentoring, and transformational leadership. Student-athletes meet periodically with mentors and alumnae within the local Twin Cities business community to provide professional development.
W.I.L.L. began as a partnership between University of Minnesota Athletics and Schwan's Company in 2014 with 25 student-athletes from soccer. Since then, the professional development has grown to more than 300 student-athletes representing all Gopher women's programs (soccer, gymnastics, hockey, golf, tennis, cross country, track & field, rowing, volleyball, softball, basketball and swimming & diving).
Programming will continue next semester. Stay tuned to gophersports.com for more details!
Courtney West for @GopherCCTF wants to send a special thanks to all our Women Invested in Leadership and Learning mentors. pic.twitter.com/44SAqyBIa1
— The Gopher Way (@thegopherway) December 8, 2020
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