March 22, 2005

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College will honor Helen Bert by celebrating her legacy and the accomplishments of women's athletics on Saturday, April 16 at the Westin Hotel in Downtown Providence. CBS Television's Lesley Visser will serve as the keynote speaker and WPRI Channel 12's Karen Adams will emcee the event. The event will begin with cocktails at 5:00 p.m. followed by a silent auction and dinner.

The late Helen Bert, who founded the women's athletics program at Providence College, worked as an athletic administrator at the College from 1971-88. She was widely known as a pioneer of female athletics. Bert's first job at Providence was serving as the coordinator of women's athletics. In 1974, she was promoted to assistant athletic director. She held that position until she was promoted to associate athletic director under Lou Lamoriello in 1982. Under Bert's tutelage, 12 Division I varsity women's sports were established as well as the first athletic scholarships given to women's basketball players in 1975. Her programs gained regional and national attention and produced several All-Americans.

Visser, one of the most respected sportscasters in the nation, has been working as a journalist covering athletics for more than 30 years. A gradaute of Boston College, she has covered some of the most prestigious athletic constests, including the Final Four, the Super Bowl and the Olympics.

Tickets for the event can be obtained by contacting Steve Napolillo in the Office of Institutional Advancement at 401-865-2677 or via e-mail at snapolil@providence.edu.