BAY CITY, Mich. -- Wayne State University Athletics collected two end-of-the-year awards from the GLIAC. The Warrior athletic department and its student-athletes were honored with the Sportsmanship Award as well as the Community Engagement Award.

"This is a great honor for our coaches and student-athletes to be selected by our peers as the recipient of both the community engagement and sportsmanship awards," stated Director of Athletics, Rob Fournier. "It underscores how we approach both our competitors and our community – with respect, with consideration and with a recognition that we are all part of a larger, more inclusive group. To be acknowledged for what we believe is a shared philosophy is both humbling and appreciated. We will celebrate this public credit but not lose perspective on what we work hard at every day."

Once per year an institution will be awarded a Sportsmanship Award plaque and $1,000 for being selected by their GLIAC member opponents as displaying the best sportsmanship and hospitality at events hosted on their campus. This award was presented at the June Executive Council Meeting. Head coaches from each sport ranked their first, second and third place choices of opposing member institutions' athletic department that display the best sportsmanship (on and off the field) and hospitality. Coaches cannot vote for their own institution. The vote must be based on their own experience

The Community Engagement Award winner received $1,000 at the June Executive Council Meeting. The WSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) presented the department's past season's outreach program and its impact. The GLIAC Staff selected the winner. This past athletic season, WSU student-athletes donated 9,125 hours of volunteer hours but the cornerstone event of the department's outreach was the annual W Week, which is spearheaded by Assistant Athletic Director, Lisa Seymour and Assistant Athletic Director Academic Support/SWA, Candice Howard.

WSU Athletics proudly celebrated 38 years of women's athletics from April 13th - April 19th.  Saturday, April 13th marked the fourth annual "W' Day which included a brunch followed by a Strike Out Cancer softball doubleheader, and the WSU Football Spring Game. Other events for the week included a movie night at Emagine Theatre for all students, faculty and staff to view the smash hit "42", a Bone Marrow Registry Drive, a Health Fair, the annual WSU Athletics Academic Recognition Luncheon, a Basic Needs Drive including a sort and distribution day to help the surrounding Detroit Community, the annual Grill on the Hill to celebrate Student-Athlete Appreciation Day, and lastly, the painting of the Spirit Walk by WSU student organizations and athletic teams.

The community engagement outreach during W Week is a series of events that join our athletic community with the campus and local population to celebrate women in athletics, but moreover cultivating the spirit in WSU Athletics and the Motor City. The spirit walk encourages student organizations to showcase their group, while the basic needs drive gathers items from all over campus to donate to Covenant House Michigan and the homeless population in the neighboring area of WSU's campus. The W Day brunch was highlighted by a keynote address from Dr. Paula McGhee, a former USC star women's basketball player.

The athletic department's efforts were in conjuction with Wayne Cares to collect items for the Basic Needs Drive and were aided in the collecting/sorting and distribution of over 30,000 items. Finally, for the past two years we have worked with one of WSU's corporate sponsors, Marriott, to gather items from the area hotels for distribution. As one can see WSU really strives to incorporate community outreach, team spirit and women in athletics as a cornerstone of its mission.

Past Community Engagement Award Winners
Michigan Tech, 2011-12
Saginaw Valley, 2010-11
Northern Michigan, 2009-10
Saginaw Valley, 2008-09

Past Sportsmanship Award Winners
Findlay, 2011-12
Hillsdale, 2010-11
Findlay, 2009-10
Michigan Tech, 2008-09