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2021-22 IWLCA Service Award and President’s Cup Recipients Announced

via IWLCA press release

NORTHBOROUGH, MASS. – The IWLCA has announced the recipients of the 2021-22 IWLCA Service Award and the President’s Cup ahead of this year’s 2022 IWLCA Convention, presented by StringKing. Kerri Whitaker, Associate Head Coach at the University of Pennsylvania, has earned the Service Award distinction, while Mike Scerbo, Associate Athletic Director at Duquesne University, has been named the recipient of the President’s Cup Award.

The pair will be recognized for their achievements during the IWLCA Hall of Fame and Honors Banquet Dinner on November 17 in Dallas, Texas at the Hilton Anatole.

Whitaker earned the honor for her numerous contributions to the IWLCA during the previous academic year. Whitaker has served as the Chair of the Academic Selections Committee for the past seven years and has spent countless hours ensuring that the student-athletes competing at IWLCA member institutions are recognized for their academic achievements and hard work in the classrooms. Whitaker has implemented several new policies and processes for this committee and has also served on the association’s NCAA Division I Legislation Committee.

“I am grateful to be receiving the IWLCA Service Award,” Whitaker said. “This honor is a reflection of the many women who, throughout my career, encouraged me to get involved by giving back to the game, to the IWLCA, and the players.”

Meghan McNamara, head coach at Long Island University, reflected on her time alongside Whitaker over the years, stating, “As the years have gone by, Kerri has been a positive and incredible role model in my life. Kerri’s commitment to excellence and professionalism is incredible. She has shown the value of selfless effort and work dedicated to the student-athletes in the IWLCA.”

The President’s Cup Award is presented to a member of the lacrosse community who has exhibited distinguished contributions to the collegiate women’s lacrosse scene during the previous academic year. Scerbo earned this distinction after making historical strides in the publicity of women’s lacrosse this past year. Scerbo has served as the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Committee chair for the past three years. In his final year as chair, Scerbo worked relentlessly to convince NCAA and ESPN representatives that broadcasting the Division I women’s quarterfinals on ESPNU and moving the Championship to ESPN would be an important step forward in the growth of women’s lacrosse.

IWLCA Executive Director Elizabeth Robertshaw said, “This was not an easy feat by any means. Mike worked with the IWLCA and numerous member coaches to find solutions to every question or roadblock that could be a potential dealbreaker for the increased TV exposure. His efforts in advocating for women’s lacrosse resulted in record-breaking viewership numbers and was an important step towards gender equity in championships moving forward.”

Scerbo stated, “I am extremely humbled and grateful to receive the IWLCA Presidents Cup this year. To be honored by an organization that I hold in high regard is truly a blessing. The sport of women’s lacrosse has always been special to me and has given me a great deal, both as a coach and administrator. I hope my past and future work will allow me to continue to give back to the sport, the coaches, and most importantly the student-athletes.”

Tickets for the 2022 IWLCA Hall of Fame and Honors Banquet can be purchased online through October 31, 2022.

Contact: Tiffany Taylor // ttaylor@iwlca.org // 713-856-8006

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