WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women's basketball head coach Sharon Versyp was named a Woman of Distinction for the Young Women's Christian Association of Greater Lafayette (YWCA) Salute to Women on Tuesday night at the Trails Banquet Facility. The 14th-year head coach was among 12 inductees to the Salute to Women Hall of Fame as the 2020 class.
Salute to Women is a celebration of remarkable women in the Greater Lafayette Community. The first Salute to Women was held on March 15, 1974. Realizing that the local community lacked an environment of support for women and that many women were not being recognized for their achievements, the Lafayette Women's Political Caucus conceived the idea of a Salute to Women awards dinner. The Purdue Women's Caucus joined in as a sponsor.
"It's a real honor to be recognized with so many women who have made and continue to make an impact on this world for the better," Versyp said. "I'm grateful that this organization recognizes inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to improving our community.
"Anytime there is a need in our community, I want to do whatever it takes to help. Whether it's a fight against cancer, poverty or hunger, everybody needs to know there is an army of supporters in their corner, and that they're not alone. It doesn't take much for us to inspire each other. All you have to do to start is reach out with a helping hand."
Versyp played a substantial role in several community service projects during the 2019-20 year that have provided invaluable support to the Lafayette and West Lafayette communities. For the last 13 years, she has worked with the Lafayette Urban Ministries Hunger Hike to ensure poverty-stricken children do not go hungry, also serving as the co-chair of the event.
A breast cancer survivor, Versyp assists with the committees of the Community Cancer Network Carry the Torch Walk and the Hope on the Horizon Fundraiser to raise funds to assist local cancer patients and their families.
In addition to several other community events, Versyp has helped raise more than $200,000 annually for various causes that affect the Lafayette, West Lafayette and surrounding communities.
Versyp, the winningest coach in program history, has mentored four All-Americans, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, 12 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars and more than 50 Academic All-Big Ten selections. She has also separated several of her former players into the coaching ranks, including Wisconsin assistant Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, Marian University head coach Katie Gearlds and Purdue director of player development and video coordination Alex Guyton.
More than 300 incredible, local women now make up the Salute to Women Hall of Fame. Every single Salute to Women honoree has made the Greater Lafayette community better for women by striving to uphold the YWCA mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.
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