Suzy Merchant Recipient of 2018 ATHENA Leadership Award

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant has been named the recipient of the 2018 ATHENA Leadership award, as announced by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday.

Merchant and Leslie Auld, owner and director of Therapy Today Counseling & Consulting, will be recognized by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce at the annual ATHENA Awards luncheon on Thursday, December 6. The luncheon will take place from 11:30- a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing. Laud is the 2019 ATHENA PowerLink Recipient.

The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who pave paths for other women to follow.

"Suzy Merchant is a great leader on and off the basketball court," said Tim Daman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Her success in building the MSU women's basketball into national prominence is matched by her work in preparing student athletes for life after basketball. Her leadership in the community, most notably in founding the empowHER leadership retreats is inspirational. She is truly a role model who embraces qualities that all great leaders should possess."

In all her years in the Greater Lansing area, Merchant has gone to great lengths to become an integral part of the community. In her time off the court and out of the office, Merchant can be seen at many community service events in the greater Lansing area. She has been an Honorary Chair for numerous Sparrow Hospital Foundation events, including Hike for Hospice, W3 5K/Ok and Dapper Dads Runway Show. In addition to the Sparrow events, Merchant has been the honorary chair for Ele's Place, MSU Children's Health Initiative, Women's Center of Lansing, Haven House, Ronald McDonald House, Advent House Ministries, Old Newsboys' Shoe and Coat Drive, and Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2016, Merchant helped create the empowHER Retreat.

EmpowHER is designed to build confidence in girls in grades 4th through 8th, by providing interactive workshops concentrated on the importance of self-empowerment, confidence, health and wellness and relationship building. Last year's empowHER retreat served over 425 girls from the state of Michigan.

"It is an awesome responsibility to be their second mom and help guide them through some challenging situations and celebrate their successes," said Merchant. "There are a lot of changes that go on in college between the ages of 18 and 22 and a lot of choices that young people can make. As coaches, our job is to do the best we can to support them and develop them as people."
In her 12^th season at MSU, Merchant has been widely lauded for her work as a coach, leader and mentor, and has been recognized for that work by being named the recipient of the 2018 ATHENA Leadership Award, a recognition that caught her by surprise.

"I have certainly appreciated what ATHENA is all about and am truly honored and humbled," added Merchant.

Started in Lansing in 1982 by Martha Mertz, the ATHENA Award is presented annually in over 500 communities internationally, recognizing individuals for professional excellence, for providing valuable service to the community and for actively assisting all women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Award seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence.
Merchant and the 2018-19 Spartans are off to a fast start with a 3-0 record this season. Michigan State hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to the Cancun Challenge hosted by Triple Crown. MSU will take on No. 15 N.C. State on Nov. 22 and Kennesaw State on Nov. 23.

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