Garden City, N.Y. – The Adelphi University Department of Athletics  announced today it received a Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching grant from the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF^®). Adelphi is one of eight universities and colleges to receive the grant, and will benefit the cross country/track and field program. 
 
Grants were awarded to institutions to support collegiate women coaches on the rise, assisting with living expenses, professional development and mentorship.

"We are proud to be a member of this year's class of the Women's Sports Foundation VanDerveer Fund recipients," said Emily Dorko, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and Senior Woman Administrator.

Head XC/Track and Field Coach Katie Rees identified current assistant coach Kyria Moore as the WSF VanDerveer Fellow for the 2024-25 school year. 

"This grant will allow us to have another female join the Panthers coaching staff and while Kyria will continue to work with her event group, she will be exposed to other elements of coaching. She was an incredible athlete for the Panthers and we are thrilled to be able to keep her part of the program and department."
 
Moore enters her second season on the staff this year. She joined the squad following a successful one-year stint with the Panthers after competing at nearby Division I Stony Brook for four seasons. She immediately made an impact in the throws specialty, placing second at the 2023 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship in the weight throw - thus earning All-American accolades - before a 10th place showing in the hammer at the outdoor event. Moore was the Northeast-10 Conference Outdoor Championship Most Outstanding Field Performer in 2023 and an all-region athlete. 

Following her collegiate competition days, Moore most recently went on to win the Open Weight Throw event at prestigious 2024 Millrose Games.

"To have this opportunity to be a part of this coaching fellowship is a great honor. I grew up having a passion for sports; even in my post-collegiate career, that passion has stayed with me. There is so much value in sports and being an athlete as you learn many valuable lessons that stay with you throughout your life. As a coach, to inspire and encourage athletes to use their resilience and work ethic learned as an athlete and apply it to their life is a privilege and an impact that goes beyond athletics. With the help of this grant, I am excited to move forward in building a foundation in my career and to grow through mentorship." - Kyria Moore

Since Title IX's passage, the representation of women in collegiate coaching roles has drastically declined. During the 1970-71 academic year, women served as head coaches for 90% of women's college teams. Fast forward to the 2022-2023 academic year, women held only 41% of head coaching positions in women's NCAA sports. The disparity is even more pronounced among BIPOC women, who made up only 7% of head coaches in women's NCAA sports. In the same year, only 29% of all NCAA assistant coaches were women, with only 7% of all assistant coaches for men's and women's teams being BIPOC women.

Furthermore, WSF's latest research report, "Play to Lead: The Generational Impact of Sports on Women's Leadership," revealed that there are still barriers to sport participation, including a lack of women role models and access to quality coaches. The data shows the lack of representation in coaching positions throughout the country is evident, and WSF is taking steps to address it by expanding the pipeline for aspiring women coaches at the collegiate level through the Tara VanDerveer Fund. Throughout the grant year, VanDerveer Fellows receive mentorship opportunities with experienced coaches and leaders in the collegiate sport space, including a conversation with Tara VanDerveer herself. Fellows are also invited to workshops focused on key topics to help women coaches succeed in today's sports environment. 

The Fund has seen success and has made an impact during its short lifespan. Out of the first five classes, 33 VanDerveer Fellows continue to lead in coaching roles, five have stepped into head coaching positions and five have used their fellowship experience to secure jobs in a sports-related field.

"For 50 years and counting, the Women's Sports Foundation has known that creating leadership opportunities for women – in coaching and beyond – is vital in order to strengthen the entire sports ecosystem," said WSF CEO Danette Leighton. "When girls and young women have inspiring women role models to look up to, they are motivated to stay engaged and pursue their full potential. That is why we remain dedicated to closing the gender gap in coaching and advancing the legacy of pioneers like Tara VanDerveer through this important Fund."

To learn more about the VanDerveer Fund and meet the 2024 grant recipients, please visit:
WSF Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching

About the Women's Sports Foundation
The Women's Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. We are an ally, an advocate, and a catalyst to tomorrow's leaders. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, we are one of the first organizations to recognize the powerful connection between sport access, equity, and society. WSF has been changing the game for 50 years through its research, advocacy, and community programming, investing over $100 million to help girls and women play, compete, and lead – in sports and beyond – without barriers. A leader and champion of the entire women's sports ecosystem, WSF amplifies the vital societal and cultural impact that is made when girls and women play sports. All girls. All women. All sports_® To learn more about the Women's Sports Foundation, please visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.