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non profit news metroMagazine
walking the walk the upcoming uno claussen-leahy run/walk raises money for student athletes
pam schwarting DOES IT FOR THE KIDS. “Once you get to know them, you would do anything for them. They’re a great group of kids, all 264 of them,” says the director of community relations for the University of Nebraska Omaha. Schwarting is referring to the university’s body of student athletes and the annual Claussen-Leahy Run/Walk, an event that raises money for scholarships to support them. She took the helm of the run/walk three years ago. Last year, she oversaw a name change–the fundraiser was formerly known as The Diet Pepsi/UNO Women’s Walk– and with it, a change in vision that included the extension of support to men’s athletic scholarships and the addition of a 2K and a 5K run, an Elder’s Walk, and athlete-led sports clinics for kids. “Transitioning to Division One, it’s important that we support all of our athletes and give them what they need to be successful in competition and in class,” Schwarting said. “One of our main goals is the community engagement between the kids and our student athletes. Kids really look up to the athletes.”
lasting legacy When associate athletic director and former women’s softball and volleyball coach Connie Claussen (whom the event’s new name recognizes) founded the walk in 1986, her goals mirrored the social climate. “There were major budget cuts from the legislature for athletics,” Claussen said. “I read in a fundraising magazine about someone who did a walk in San Francisco and got one hundred women to raise $100,000. I knew I couldn’t do that, but I started with a walk for whoever wanted to participate … my goal was to raise $5,000 and we ended up raising $12,000.” The funds supported scholarships for female athletes. “The issue of equality for women in athletics was a big issue at that time,” Don Leahy, who served two separate terms as UNO’s athletic director and introduced its hockey program, clarified. Leahy worked closely with Claussen in achieving “the best possible situation for 18
metroMAGAZINE • APR 2013