Eastern Michigan Athletics
Third Annual Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports
1/26/2026 2:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball, General
Saturday, Jan. 31 at the EMU George Gervin GameAbove Center
Click Here to Register.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The George Gervin GameAbove Center will serve as a gathering place for sport, learning, and connection on Saturday, Jan. 31. Eastern Michigan University will host the Third Annual Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports, an event focused on participation, education, and access for girls and women across the county.
Presented by the Ann Arbor Sports Commission, the event brings athletes, families, and community leaders together for a full afternoon of conversation and competition. The goal centers on confidence, long-term involvement in sports, and equitable opportunity across all levels of play.
The day begins at noon with an educational panel inside The Eagles Nest. The session targets parents, athletes, and coaches seeking insight into leadership, mentorship, and growth through sport.
Danielle Plunkett will facilitate the discussion. Plunkett serves as Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan and brings more than 30 years of experience across education and nonprofit work. Under Plunkett's leadership, Girls on the Run expanded across the region, reaching thousands of young participants. In 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Plunkett to the Michigan Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports.
The panel features voices from coaching, college athletics, and athletic administration.
Marley Duerst coaches girls' soccer for Saline FC and Ypsilanti Community High School. Duerst focuses on creating supportive environments where young athletes grow through trust and structure. Beyond the field, Duerst supports academic and mental health access for Latinx Spanish-speaking youth and leads mentorship and soccer education workshops nationwide through the US Soccer Foundation.
Ella Grasson represents the student-athlete perspective. Grasson competes on the EMU volleyball team and serves as a member of EMU Media Relations team and a student assistant for volleyball. A summer role with the Lake County Captains introduced Grasson to ticket sales and community engagement. Grasson views sport as a bridge between athletes and fans and works as a mentor through Athlete to Athlete, supporting young volleyball players with skill development and confidence.
Lauren Drinane rounds out the panel with a background in collegiate athletics operations. Drinane serves as Senior Secretary for EMU Football and previously worked as Director of Gymnastics Operations at Boise State University while earning a master's degree in athletic leadership. A former track and field athlete at Concordia University, Drinane focuses on life skills development and personal growth for student athletes beyond competition.
At 12:30 p.m., the focus shifts to movement. A sports clinic for participants age 13 and under will feature hands-on instruction across lacrosse, rowing, soccer, cheer, football, and additional sports. The clinic emphasizes fun, fundamentals, and exposure to multiple athletic pathways.
The day concludes at 2 p.m. with an EMU women's basketball game inside the GameAbove Center. A post-game autograph session will allow young athletes to meet players and build personal connections with collegiate role models.
The Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports continues to grow as a community-driven event. The mission centers on empowering girls and women through education and active experiences. The vision focuses on confidence, lifelong participation in sport, and a more inclusive environment across athletics.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The George Gervin GameAbove Center will serve as a gathering place for sport, learning, and connection on Saturday, Jan. 31. Eastern Michigan University will host the Third Annual Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports, an event focused on participation, education, and access for girls and women across the county.
Presented by the Ann Arbor Sports Commission, the event brings athletes, families, and community leaders together for a full afternoon of conversation and competition. The goal centers on confidence, long-term involvement in sports, and equitable opportunity across all levels of play.
The day begins at noon with an educational panel inside The Eagles Nest. The session targets parents, athletes, and coaches seeking insight into leadership, mentorship, and growth through sport.
Danielle Plunkett will facilitate the discussion. Plunkett serves as Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan and brings more than 30 years of experience across education and nonprofit work. Under Plunkett's leadership, Girls on the Run expanded across the region, reaching thousands of young participants. In 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Plunkett to the Michigan Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports.
The panel features voices from coaching, college athletics, and athletic administration.
Marley Duerst coaches girls' soccer for Saline FC and Ypsilanti Community High School. Duerst focuses on creating supportive environments where young athletes grow through trust and structure. Beyond the field, Duerst supports academic and mental health access for Latinx Spanish-speaking youth and leads mentorship and soccer education workshops nationwide through the US Soccer Foundation.
Ella Grasson represents the student-athlete perspective. Grasson competes on the EMU volleyball team and serves as a member of EMU Media Relations team and a student assistant for volleyball. A summer role with the Lake County Captains introduced Grasson to ticket sales and community engagement. Grasson views sport as a bridge between athletes and fans and works as a mentor through Athlete to Athlete, supporting young volleyball players with skill development and confidence.
Lauren Drinane rounds out the panel with a background in collegiate athletics operations. Drinane serves as Senior Secretary for EMU Football and previously worked as Director of Gymnastics Operations at Boise State University while earning a master's degree in athletic leadership. A former track and field athlete at Concordia University, Drinane focuses on life skills development and personal growth for student athletes beyond competition.
At 12:30 p.m., the focus shifts to movement. A sports clinic for participants age 13 and under will feature hands-on instruction across lacrosse, rowing, soccer, cheer, football, and additional sports. The clinic emphasizes fun, fundamentals, and exposure to multiple athletic pathways.
The day concludes at 2 p.m. with an EMU women's basketball game inside the GameAbove Center. A post-game autograph session will allow young athletes to meet players and build personal connections with collegiate role models.
The Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports continues to grow as a community-driven event. The mission centers on empowering girls and women through education and active experiences. The vision focuses on confidence, lifelong participation in sport, and a more inclusive environment across athletics.
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