Women's Walk is Aug. 28 at 9 a.m.

SAULT STE. MARIE – The Lake Superior State Women’s Walk is quickly becoming one of the premier fund-raising events for the LSSU Department of Athletics.

The second annual Women's Walk, a fund-raiser for LSSU women's athletics, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Norris Center. Last year’s inaugural event drew more than 200 participants and generated $20,000 for Laker teams. This year’s walk is expected to surpass those totals.

“The women’s walk was once something that I only dreamt about doing,” said LSSU assistant women’s basketball coach and Women’s Walk chairperson Shannon Eggers. “I never thought that a fund-raiser of this caliber would take off with the amount of success that is has, and that is something that I am extremely proud of. I always knew the Women’s Walk could help counter our budget constraints and bring student-athletes together with the community, the staff and each other, all for the common goal helping women’s athletics. Now that we are in our second year of this successful fund-raiser, I am proud to say that all the hard work put forward by everyone involved allowed our department to raise over $21,000 in the first year. I am looking forward to raising more this year and hope to have a great turnout for the event on Saturday.”

The 30-minute walk through LSSU's campus is a low-key activity for women of all ages and athletic abilities. The impact of the event is far-reaching in terms of numbers of participants and potential to financially support the LSSU women's volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, golf, cross country and track teams.

Eggers first participated in a women's walk when she played basketball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The UNO Women's Walk, which began with 86 walkers in 1986, now includes 1,000 participants and major sponsors who donate approximately $200,000 annually.

Primary sponsors of the 2010 LSSU Women's Walk are Dean Acres Travel, Sadler-Rodenroth Motors and Autore Oil (BP).

“To see this event take off has been something that everyone involved should be very happy about,” Eggers said. “Our student-athletes have worked equally hard on the Women’s Walk, and hopefully they understand the appreciation that their coaches, families, faculty, and University have for them. I am tremendously thankful for everyone involved in this event and will continue to have nothing but high hopes for this fund-raiser each year.”

All walkers are eligible to win special prizes. Late registrants can join teams by contacting Eggers, 906-635-2368, or the Norris Center Ticket Office, 906-635-2602.

The walk will be held in conjunction with Saturday's Hall of Fame Golf Outing, which begins at noon at The Oaks at Kincheloe and benefits all LSSU sports teams.