DUBUQUE, Iowa - On Wednesday February 1st, the University of Dubuque would like to recognize and partake in the 37th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This day is dedicated to honor the achievements of female coaches, athletes, and administrators who have raised awareness regarding women in the field of sports. Because of their efforts, girls and women are provided with equitable access and opportunities to participate in sports. Throughout our recent years here at the University of Dubuque, women have played an influential part in administrative settings, coaching roles, and student athletes. We would like to take the time to acknowledge their committed services through sports to help empower women.
The University of Dubuque has two females serving in athletic administrative roles. First, we would like to highlight Wendi Wipperfurth. In her time here at the University of Dubuque, she was head softball coach from 2011-2018 and has recorded the most wins in program history. Back in 2018, she was appointed to assistant athletic director where she currently serves paired with other responsibilities as athletic event manager and senior women's administrator. Wendi plays a vital role in facilitating athletic events at the University of Dubuque.
Another recent hire in athletic administration is Megan Wilson. She joined the University of Dubuque this past year and serves as Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Intercollegiate Athletics. Other responsibilities include compliance coordinator, event promotions, and athletic budgeting. Megan's passion for sports is clearly evident as she strives to provide our student-athletes with the best experience while pursuing excellence. In prior years, she was head women's basketball coach at UW-Platteville and she is currently the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Chair. Megan's devoted time to our athletic administration is a substantial benefit to the University of Dubuque.
Megan has provided inspiration and promoted National Girls and Women in Sports Day ever since her arrival into collegiate athletics. "Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day is something I've been passionate about from my time as a student-athlete, assistant coach, head coach and now an administrator. To have women pave the way for my opportunities has inspired me to make sure I'm doing my part for future generations, spanning from our Spartan student-athletes to my daughter's generation. It's even more crucial coming off the 50
th Anniversary of Title IX for women in sport to build on our progress that's been made."
Recently, the University of Dubuque just added their ninth female sport with the addition of women's wrestling. The inaugural season will kick off in 2023-2024 with Dennis Hall at the helm. We are excited to offer this emerging sport to our female athletes.
Here is a list of female teams in the last 10 years who have made significant contributions to the University of Dubuque.
Basketball
- Five-time IIAC/A-R-C Tournament Qualifier (2013,2014,2015,2021,2022)
- 2014-15 IIAC Champions
Volleyball
- Eight-time IIAC/A-R-C Tournament Qualifier (2013,2014,2015,2017,2018,2019,2021,2022)
- Two-time A-R-C Champions (2018,2019)
- Two-time NCAA DIII Championships Qualifier (2018,2019)
Soccer
- Eight-time IIAC/A-R-C Tournament Qualifier (2013,2014,2015,2017,2018,2019,2021,2022)
- 2014 IIAC Champions
- 2014 NCAA DIII Championships Qualifier
Softball
- Four-time IIAC/A-R-C Tournament Qualifier (2014,2015,2019,2021)
Golf
- Three-time A-R-C Tournament Champions (2019,2020,2021)
- Two-time NCAA DIII Championships Qualifier (2021,2022)
Tennis
- Arantxa Martinez
- IIAC Doubles B Champion (2014)
- IIAC Singles A Champion (2016)
- IIAC Doubles A Champion (2016)
- Ines Albino
- IIAC SIngles B Champion (2016)
- IIAC Doubles A Champion (2016)
- Ashley Palacios-Quinonez
- IIAC Doubes B Champion (2017)
- Megan Ranney
- IIAC Doubles B Champion (2017)
- Ashley Schlueter
- IIAC Doubes B Champion (2014)
Track & Field (All-Americans within the past 10 years)
- Tanasha Atwater (2016-2018)
- Alison Beeman (2019,2020,2022)
- Ya'Mia Ailes-Prime (2020)
- Olivia Costley (2020)
- Caronline Ferguson (2020)
- Kayla Slowick (2020)
- Kaitlyn Wilder (2022)
- Annika Brraten (2022)
- Emma Seipel (2022)
- Rebecca Burmahl (2018-2019)
- Fabiola Ortiz (2017)
As we acknowledge National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we also would like to invite girls ranging from Kindergarten through eighth grade to attend our NGWSD camp on February 11th. The camp will consist of fundamental skills in a variety of sports as we work to grow the involvement of girls in sports. For more information please see the attached link below.
NGWSD
