The ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Buccaneer Athletic Scholarship Association will present the second annual Spherion Pathmaker Award to former Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and longtime administrator Janice Shelton on April 23 in the Grand Ballroom of the Millennium Centre. The luncheon event is scheduled for noon.
The Spherion PathMaker Award is given annually to honor an individual who has contributed significantly to the development and success of young women, and to the advancement of opportunities for all women in their chosen field of endeavor.
The award specifically celebrates the importance that participation in sports has in developing character, confidence and self-esteem for today’s young women.
Shelton, a former ETSU women’s basketball coach and athletic director, will be the recipient of the 2009 Spherion Pathmaker award, and the keynote speaker will be former ETSU and N.C. State men’s basketball coach and athletic director Les Robinson.
Shelton was the first female selected to the athletic director position at ETSU and was one of only six female athletic directors at the NCAA Division I level at the time of her hiring.
Shelton was the chair of the Tennessee Association of Girl’s and Women’s Sports, the Tennessee College Women’s Sports Federation Ethics and Eligibility Chair and the AIAW Southern Region Ethics and Eligibility Chair.
“Janice was a pioneer for women in the athletic administration role and is one of my heroes,” said ETSU Associate Athletic Director Barbie Breedlove.
“This award recognizes someone who has made great strides to allow success for young women and she has clearly paved a path for future generations of women.”
Attendance to the hour-long luncheon is by invitation only. Questions about the event can be answered by contacting Michael White at 423-439-4220.

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