Featured Alum
alumnifocus
“Every time I walk into a gymnasium, for the University of Pittsburgh women’s the smell reminds me of my days basketball team, the Uniontown native playing basketball at Gannon,” said (and current Pittsburgh resident) is alumna Shelley Bortz Ligashesky constantly challenging herself. ’97. “All gyms have a distinct smell. “My fondest memories of Gannon are of It’s not a bad smell, it’s just unique: playing basketball and the camaraderie a combination of sweat, tears, among the amazing women on our hard work, dedication, competiteam,” she said. “My favorite part of tion and fun.” basketball is the competition. I’m very It’s been more than a decade since competitive by nature at everything I do.” she last hit the GU basketball Most recently, Ligashesky was crowned court as a member of the Gannon Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2008, women’s basketball team, but competing against 13 other married Ligashesky still has that competitive Pennsylvania women for the state spirit. Between working in the fasttitle. She also represented the Keystone paced world of television news to State in the Mrs. America Pageant serving as public address announcer in September. “I’ve competed in only two pageants, the Mrs. Pennsylvania America pageant, which is the state qualifying pageant for the Mrs. America pageant, and the Mrs. America pageant itself,” she explained. “I really enjoyed getting to know so many beautiful, intelligent and talented women from across the country.” As Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2008, Ligashesky travels the state, using her title as a tool to increase awareness of driving while intoxicated. Fifteen years ago, she overcame devastating injuries after the car she was riding in was struck by a drunk driver.
“I feel I can be an inspiration to others because I believed in myself and overcame a tragedy by never giving up. I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I wanted something so badly, went after it and achieved it,” she said.
“The best part of being a Gannon alum is the simple fact that I’m a graduate of such a prestigious institution.” 5 Minutes, 5 Questions
What was the last book you read? Serial Killers by Jack Levin. I love true crime books. I’m fascinated by reads that take you into the minds of the most calculating murderers. What talent do you perform during pageant competition? There isn’t a talent portion in the Mrs. America system; however, if there was I would have played the piano. I’ve been playing since I was eight years old. On the weekends, you can usually find me at Pittsburgh Steelers games rooting for my husband, Bob, who is the special teams coordinator.
“My doctors told my family that if I made it through surgery, I most likely wouldn’t walk again. When I heard the prognosis, I was devastated,” Ligashesky said. “But, I wasn’t going to feel sorry for myself. I was going to do something about it.”
What was your first job after graduation? My very first job after college was an internship at FOX Sports Pittsburgh. For the past decade, I’ve been working as a television news anchor/reporter. I’ve worked at stations in Nebraska, West Virginia, Ohio, Florida and Missouri.
Eighteen months later, through hard work and sheer will—and despite five pounds of metal plates and rods in her body—Ligashesky proved the doctors wrong and was once again a starting player with the Lady Knights.
What advice would you give to current students? Cherish every minute of your college experience, as it passes very quickly. But more importantly, learn as much as possible; the principal reason for being there is to learn! The extracurricular activities are just a bonus.