DETROIT -- The Wayne State University Department of Athletics will be hosting its fourth annual “W” Week in celebration of Women's Athletics next week.

The week long actvities begin on Saturday, April 13 with the “W” Week Brunch featuring guest speaker Paula McGee, Ph.D.

"Dr. McGee has had a long and distinguished career in women's athletics and has seen first-hand its development and trials," stated WSU Director of Athletics Rob Fournier.  "Her perspective on that growth and its impact on women, is an appropriate message as the keynote speaker to kickoff our annual W Week celebration.  I am sure her insights in lieu of recent headlines in college athletics will be illumnating."

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Paula is a dynamic preacher, writer, and inspirational speaker. Her life's calling is to preach, write, and teach. She is a role model and an advocate for women. Her personal mission is “to inspire others to recognize, accept, and fulfill their call to greatness.”

Always committed to excellence, Ms. McGee is often recognized for her accolades in women's basketball. At the University of Southern California, she and her twin sister, Pam teamed up with Cheryl Miller and Cynthia Cooper to win two back-to-back National Championships in 1983 and 1984. She has a retired jersey at USC and is a member of their prestigious Hall of Fame.

After college she embarked upon a professional career, which included a tryout with the Harlem Globetrotters and a season with the Dallas Diamonds of the Women's American Basketball Association.  She also played five seasons in Italy and Spain, where she learned both Spanish and Italian. In her final seasons, Ms. McGee negotiated her own contracts.  She ended her sports career to pursue her life's calling to preach.

Paula earned a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center and a Master of Arts in Religion from Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. in Women's Studies in Religion from Claremont Graduate University with a focus on Theology, Ethics, and Culture.  Her academic achievements are just one vivid example of her belief that “success is when opportunity meets preparation.”

Doctor Paula McGee is without a doubt a pioneer and a trailblazer.  She started a sports management agency and represented her twin sister in the inaugural season of the WNBA. She was also the co-founder of Christian Business Success Network, a nonprofit organization that specialized in training and providing support for Christian business leaders.  She is also one of the few women ordained in the Baptist Church and the former Dean of Chapel at historic Fisk University.

Reverend McGee uses her many gifts, talents, and winning spirit to make a difference in the world. She continues to accept her greatness and encourages others to do the same.

To RSVP for the complimentary brunch, please contact WSU Assistant Athletic Director Lisa Seymour at 313/577-4282, or via email at lisa.seymour@wayne.edu

Other events scheduled to take place during the first day of “W” week (April 13) include the Warrior football team playing its annual spring game at Adams Field, the WSU volleyball program hosting a spring invitational inside the Matthaei, and the Wayne State softball program entertaining Grand Valley in a GLIAC doubleheader that will also be televised live throughout the state of Michigan on Xfinity channel 900.

A movie night at Emagine Theatre in Royal Oak is slated for Monday, April 15.  This event is open to all WSU students with the first 50 receiving free transportation from the Matthaei to the Theatre and return.  All attendees will view the recently released “42” movie about Jackie Robinson.

Two events will occur on Wednesday, April 17 - (1) The Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center will host a Health Fair featuring over 20 vendors from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (2) At 6 p.m. at the Matthaei, the “Workout Night at the Matthaei” will take place as a WSU Recreation Center Fitness Instructor will lead the participants in a Zumba class.

The WSU Athletic Department's Annual Academic Recognition luncheon will take place the following day with Warrior student-athletes collating Basic Needs Drive bags on Friday morning for distribution later that day at Cass Park and to the Covenant House of Michigan.