Erin Hamlin Speaks at Utica College

Take a ride with Olympian and National Champion Erin Hamlin. From the ice to the podium, Hamlin was addressing the importance of women's athletics today at Utica College.

                "I am really passionate about promoting women's sports and just promoting sports in general and getting kids involved and women and girls involved. To be able to spread the word about it and encourage people even if they think it may not be possible. I'm from this area, I am a girl, and I got pretty far. To be able to inspire another generation means a lot" says Hamlin.

            2012 marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX which increased opportunities for women's athletics. Many Lady Pioneers were in attendance today listening to her inspiring words.

            New York Mills native Adriana Surprenant says, "Not very many people talk about women's athletics, they don't really recognize it. You see hundreds of people at the football games and maybe 10 or 20 at field hockey games. So it's important that she wants people to come and she wants people to support."

            Erin's sport may not be in the NCAA but she says participating in other athletics was invaluable preparation. She says, "Being able to compete in sports when I was a kid is really kind of what gave me the mindset of an athlete you know getting involved in sports young gives you those characteristics of having that competitive edge."

Hamlin says the growth of women's athletics in just the Olympics alone and this year Team USA had more women participate than men. Now her message to women is about remaining steadfast regardless of the naysayers.

                "Just keep going, persevere, stick with it. I'm sure you hear a lot of you can't do this, you're not allowed to do this, maybe not so much anymore, which is awesome. But there are still the negative people who may not give women's sports what they deserve" Hamlin added.

            All proceeds from the Spirit Luncheon go to support Women's athletics.