April 24, 1998 Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129 EUGENE, Ore.--The role women play in the business of sports is the topic of "Shattering the Glass Ceiling," the third annual Women's Sports Business Symposium presented by the University of Oregon's James H. Warsaw Sports Marketing Center on May 7-8 in Eugene. "Anybody who works in sports business or reports on the industry needs to be at this symposium," says Rick Burton, director of the Warsaw Center and former advertising executive with Miller Brewing Co. "The growing number of professional sports leagues is creating more management opportunities for women as well as offering corporations many more sponsorship opportunities. Our elite panel of women in sports business will give their perspectives on what it takes for women in sports to capitalize on these important marketing opportunities." Donna Lopiano, Ph.D., executive director of the Women's Sports Foundation, will give the symposium's opening address Thursday evening, May 7, at a reception in the Alumni Lounge, Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St. The evening's keynote speaker Marla Messing is president of the 1999 Women's World Cup to be held in several American cities during the summer of 1999. The symposium resumes at 9 a.m. Friday, May 8, with a 90-minute panel discussion, "Buried In Back: Is The Media Coverage Enough?" Lopiano is moderator and panel participants are Teri Wagner, director of marketing, ABC Network Sports; Katy Steding, professional basketball player, Portland Power; and Sharon Barbano, publisher and editor, "Women's Sports Market Report." Donna Pastore, president, National Association of Girls and Women in Sport, will moderate the morning's second panel discussion entitled "Cashing In: A Closer Look at Sports Sponsorships." Panel participants include Cathy Schick, director of marketing, Baden Sports; Sue Ziehler, vice president-operations, Peter Jacobsen Productions; and Jackie Thomas, associate director of sports marketing, Nike. The symposium wraps up with an afternoon panel discussion ,"On Deck: Women's Sports Are Up Next!" moderated by Lopiano. Panel members Messing and Dina Gilbertie, vice president, youth marketing, National Hockey League, will discuss why women's sports are growing and where the industry is headed in the future. All panel discussions will be held at the Downtown Athletic Club in Eugene. The James H. Warsaw Sports Marketing Center is part of the University of Oregon's Charles H. Lundquist College of Business and is the first sports marketing program in the nation to offer bachelor's and master's degrees as part of a university business school or college curriculum. -30- #P-6076/Local,OrDailies,PDX,Orbus,Special