The America East Conference has recognized University of Hartford Director of Athletics/Special Assistant to the President Pat Meiser as a "Title IX Trailblazer" in the following video feature celebrating her commitment to her athletics department and its community, the America East Conference and to giving equal opportunities to female student-athletes.
America East sat down to talk to not only Meiser herself, but also Hartford women's basketball head coach Jennifer Rizzotti, women's basketball student-athlete Nikkia Smith, University of Connecticut Special Adviser Dee Rowe and Boston University Athletics Director Mike Lynch.
America East's video is one of 25 trailblazer tribute videos submitted to the NACWAA Title IX Trailblazer Tribute Video Contest in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX on June 23, 2012. All 25 videos, each celebrating a trailblazer who has made significant contributions in the area of gender equity, are available for viewing on the NACWAA YouTube Channel beginning Monday, April 9 through Monday, April 23 and is in the running for a $9,000 gift from the NACWAA Foundation Fund to be used in support of women's athletics programs and/or female staff professional development. The three videos receiving the most views will also be shown at the 2012 NACWAA National Convention Oct. 7-10 in Kansas City.
Meiser, in her 20th year as Director of Athletics for the University of Hartford, has contributed to intercollegiate athletics as a player, coach and administrator and has seen Title IX, its development and its impact over the last 40 years first hand.
After earning her bachelor’s degree from West Chester University (’69) and her M.Ed. (’71) from Penn State, Meiser was the head women’s basketball coach and a tenured faculty member with the Nittany Lions. She handed out the first women’s basketball scholarship at Penn State (’74) and advanced the program to national recognition. Meiser also earned her MBA from Penn State and then served as associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at Connecticut, playing a pivotal role in the rejuvenation of the athletics program.
Since becoming Director of Athletics at Hartford, Meiser has enhanced the Hawks’ and the America East Conference’s commitment to academics, athletics and leadership through student-athlete and staff engagement, community outreach and service, and a capital campaign which funded a major upgrade to athletics facilities. She is one of just 30 Division I female director of athletics and has won the Northeast Region I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year twice for her significant contributions.
This Title IX Trailblazer Tribute Video to Meiser is part of America East's celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX this year. Keep tuned into AmericaEast.com for more news on the conference's commitment to educate on, celebrate and demonstrate the historic legislation and continued excellence in women's athletics.