USF Athletics

TAMPA, FEB. 6, 2019 – Claire Lessinger, the Director of Special Events for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and former USF head volleyball coach, has been selected USF's honoree for National Girls and Women in Sports Day among honorees from all American Athletic Conference Schools. Lessinger will be recognized for her contributions later this year during a USF softball game.
 
The 33^rd annual National Girls and Women in Sport Day on Feb. 6 celebrates the past, recognizes current sports achievements, and celebrates the move toward equality and access for women in sports. All institutions that make up the American Athletic Conference selected an honoree who demonstrates a commitment to women's sports.
 
In her work with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Lessinger is responsible for bidding on and hosting sports and entertainment events for the city of Tampa. Prior to her tenure at the Sports Commission, Lessinger served as the head volleyball coach at USF from 2004-12 and an assistant coach from 1999-2003.
 
Lessinger currently serves as the Tournament Director for the 2019 Women's Final Four that will be held at Amalie Arena in Tampa, April 4-7. Additionally, Lessinger is instrumental in the success of the "Beyond Series", which focuses on mobilizing local women of influence to support major sporting events that are hosted in Tampa Bay. The program was first implemented during the 2015 Women's Final Four and the NCAA has since branded and included the event in their regular schedule of programming in each host city thereafter. 
 
USF's celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day is one of more than 500 taking place across the country. The day is devoted to recognizing the progress of girls and women in sports, and the benefits that sports and fitness activities can bring to the lives of all girls and women. The day is organized nationally by the Women's Sports Foundation; to learn more, visit www.NGSWD.org.
 
About USF Athletics
USF Athletics sponsors 19 varsity men's and women's teams that compete in 11 different sports, 18 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls' athletic program began in 1965 and is in its 53^rd season in 2018-19. Nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 16 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, including at least three in each of the last three seasons, and own 113 conference championships overall. Nine USF programs reached national post-season competition in the 2017-18 season and six were ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for the third straight year in 2017-18 and have posted a program record eight straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has seen more than 200 student-athletes earn their degree in the last two years.

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