The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) honored longtime board members Jean Lenti Ponsetto, Carolyn Schlie Femovich and Patty Viverito with the Dr. Judie Holland Legacy Award this afternoon at the CWSA Celebration Luncheon hosted by Honda as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the CWSA.
The Dr. Judie Holland Legacy Award is designed to recognize those who have played a significant role in the success of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards program. This award is not necessarily an annual award but is given in the years when the most deserving person is identified. This is the first presentation of the Legacy Award since its establishment in 2017. Dr. Judie Holland, who served 37 years as the Executive Director, was on hand to present the award.
The trio of Lenti Ponsetto, Schlie Femovich and Viverito have served on the Executive Board of the CWSA for 16 years and were vital in the stabilization of the CWSA awards program during its transition to a non-profit entity. Thanks to their endurance, leadership and talents the CWSA continues to celebrate the “best of the best” in collegiate women’s athletics annually recognizing the accomplishments of female athletes in NCAA-member colleges.
“The CWSA was fortunate to have three great leaders on the Board and leading the Executive Committee at a crossroads in its history,” stated Voelz. “Because of their immense loyalty, sense of purpose, skills and talents laced with passion for the organization, they were able to stabilize the organization and put it in a position to thrive. It is exceedingly appropriate that Jean, Carolyn and Patty be the first recipients of the Dr. Judie Holland Award as their efforts have made an indelible mark on the Collegiate Women Sports Awards and we owe them our deep gratitude.”
After an illustrious 42-year career, Lenti Ponsetto recently retired as one of the nation's most widely respected leaders in intercollegiate athletics and a driving force behind the unprecedented expansion and development of DePaul's athletics program.
Schlie Femovich is currently serving as Vice President of the PICTOR Group which she joined upon retirement from the Patriot League where she served as Executive Director for 16 successful years. Throughout her tenure at the Patriot League, she focused her efforts on the development and implementation of a comprehensive multimedia package, expansion of League membership and improvement of the League’s competitiveness.
Viverito is in her 37th year directing the Missouri Valley Football Conference as its commissioner. She also spent the past 30 years as senior associate commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference.
“I can’t think of three more deserving persons or professionals than Jean, Carolyn and Patty to receive this award for their contributions to CWSA,” said Holland. “They truly made a difference!”
The CWSA, in its 47th year, honors the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.
About the Dr. Judie Holland Legacy Award
The Dr. Judie Holland Legacy Award is named after the CWSA founder and leader in commemoration of Holland's 36 years of service. Holland helped create the CWSA in 1976, then named the Broderick Awards, and the program today includes a major presenting sponsor, Honda, for the last 36 years and the following awards: The Honda Cup (signifying the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year), 12 sports awards for the best female athlete in each of the 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, Division II Female Athlete of the Year, Division III Female Athlete of the Year, Honda Inspiration Award and the Irv Grossman Award of Merit.