Suzyn Waldman, long-time color commentator on the New York Yankees Radio Network, was the featured speaker at the 15th Annnual Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon at the Events Center on Monday afternoon. A record-setting crowd of 810 turned out to support women's athletics at Binghamton University.  The event is organized by the Binghamton Bearcats Athletics Association Women's Scholarship Fund and heading into Monday's luncheon had raised over $500,000 to benefit women's athletics at Binghamton University. An additional $50,000 was raised from this event.

 

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WNBF News/Roger Neel Photo
WNBF News/Roger Neel Photo
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Waldman was the first voice ever heard on all-sports radio station WFAN in New York City.  Since 2005 she has teamed with John Sterling on New York Yankees radio broadcasts. She became the first woman to do color commentary for a Major league sports team.

Prior to her job doing Yankees' broadcasts Waldman was a regular on WFAN and covered the New York Knicks and New Jersey Devils.  She is considered a pioneer for women in sports broadcasting.  Waldman recounted the many difficulties she encountered when first working in what previously had been an all-male profession.

She credited the late George Steinbrenner with helping her break in and stay in Major League Baseball.  She urged the student athletes on hand to try and go beyond the perceived limits of what they can accomplish.  She urged them to push ahead and be persistent in looking to achieve their goals.

Also speaking was senior Olivia Batista who plays lacrosse at BU.  She spoke about how playing lacrosse has helped her through many tough times including a serious leg injury that took a lengthy amount time and work to rehabilitate. Batista is one of ten female athletes who received scholarship aid from proceeds from previous luncheons.

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