Breaking Barriers
In three and a half years at the College of Saint Benedict, Marcia Mahlum ’96 became fully immersed in the CSB athletics realm.
The Sacred Heart, Minnesota, native participated in volleyball, assisted in the training room, worked summer sports camps, was a student manager in the intramural office and served as a student assistant to former athletic director Carol Howe-Veenstra.
“All of these experiences shaped my desire to work in the sports and recreation field,” she says. “But what impacted me most were the many mentors I had from the CSB staff and faculty throughout my time as a student.”
After graduation, Marcia worked as a customer service technician for MascoTech Forming Technologies in Ypsilanti, Michigan. One year later, the communication major made her way back to the CSB campus to work as the intramural director. Now, her position has evolved into CSB’s director of campus recreation and club sports.
“I had a wonderful student experience at CSB,” she says. “CSB has led the way in providing sport opportunities for women – competitive collegiate sport experiences, club sport experiences, girls summer sports camps, intramurals and recreation, and we continue to push the envelope to be better and stronger every year.”
Breaking Barriers
As part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Feb. 1, Marcia was recognized for her good work and received one of this year’s Breaking Barriers Awards.
“It was truly amazing to be nominated by my colleagues and recognized in this way for my work,” Marcia says. “It affirms that my work has made a difference, and I hope to continue to advance opportunities for girls and women for many years to come.”
The Breaking Barriers Award recognizes individuals or organizations that overcome challenges and/or strive to provide athletic opportunities for girls and women of all races, all ages and all levels of ability.
“We are here to serve, promote, encourage and empower women through various physical experiences that allow them to reach their fitness and wellness goals, and I’m very fortunate to be a part of that,” Marcia says.
According to Marcia, National Girls and Women in Sports Day and the Breaking Barriers Award is an opportunity to celebrate all that has been accomplished — and to see all the potential that lies ahead for girls and women in sports.
“I want to make a difference in the lives of as many students as I can in hopes that I’m providing positive experiences and opportunities in much the same way that my mentors did for me,” Marcia says.