More than 500 alumni, current student-athletes, coaches, administrators, university leaders, family members and friends of Utah Athletics were on hand for the Fifty Years Forward Celebration Banquet Friday evening, an event honoring women in sports at the University of Utah. and the 50th anniversary of Title IX.
The event began with a social hour and silent auction in the Kem & Carolyn Gardner Legacy Hall. Dinner and a program followed on the floor of the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
The group of featured presenters included former women’s basketball coach Elaine Elliott, former softball player and coach Jo Evans, volleyball coach Beth Launiere, former gymnast and coach Megan Marsden, and track & field athlete Maya LeBar.
Charmelle Green, a former Ute softball player who has returned to her alma mater as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Internal Operations and COO, gave the formal welcome. Athletic Director Mark Harlan closed the evening with his remarks about Utah’s proud women’s athletics tradition. The event was emceed by KUTV-TV 2 morning news anchor Mary Nickles.
The evening concluded with a video chronicling the legacy of Utah women’s athletics.
