Released: March 4 2002
Release #: 0208
Contact: David Eadie,
COA Sports Information Director

Sacramento, CA . . . Two of the country’s leading experts on gender equity are scheduled to be keynote speakers during the Commission on Athletics (COA) 5th Annual Convention, March 20-22, in Reno, NV. Featured speakers at the convention include Dr. Donna Lopiano, Executive Director of the Women’s Sports Foundation and Dr. John D. Welty, President of California State University, Fresno.

Dr. Donna Lopiano will host the convention’s general session on Thursday, March 21. She has been listed by The Sporting News as one of the “100 most influential people in sports.” She received her bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California. She has been a college coach of men’s and women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, field hockey and softball.

As an athlete, Lopiano participated in 26 national championships in four sports and was a nine-time all-American at four positions in softball, a sport in which she played on six national championship teams. She is a member of the National Sports Hall of Fame, the National Softball Hall of Fame and the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, among others. Lopiano is currently a member of the United States Olympic Committee executive board. She is expected to address attendees on the unique challenges and promise of women’s athletics in our society.

Dr. John D. Welty will serve as the speaker at the keynote session on Thursday, March 21. Dr. Welty has been president of California State University, Fresno since July 29, 1991. During this period the University has completed a major planning effort, expanded minority enrollment, created an Honors College, added new academic programs, institutes and facilities, introduced service learning into the curriculum and expanded community service opportunities for students, initiated faculty development efforts, streamlined administrative processes, launched a major commitment to expand the use of information technology, entered the Western Athletic Conference, expanded intercollegiate Athletic opportunities and facilities for women, and dramatically increased private fund raising and grant and contract funding. He is expected to discuss California State University efforts that led to improved participation rates and resources for women athletes on nineteen CSU campuses.

Dr. Welty has been a leader in promoting service learning and volunteer service for students. Governor Gray Davis appointed him as a Commissioner for the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism (GO SERV) in 2000. He was elected to a three year term as WASC Commissioner in 2000. Locally, Dr. Welty has been a leader in establishing the Fresno Business Council, the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and several other partnerships.

For more information on the COA Annual Convention, and for the latest news, information and updates of all 23 COA sanctioned sports, visit www.coasports.org.

COA