University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL THROWER DIANE SLINDEN NAMED VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
April 11, 2002 | Women's Track
April 11, 2002
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
Senior track and field standout Diane Slinden, a native of Menomonie, Wis., was chosen as the University of Tennessee's Volunteer of the Year Wednesday night at the 2002 Provost's Honors Banquet at the University Center Ballroom.
Each year, a rising senior is honored for dedication to campus and community and for strength of character and stewardship to UT. Slinden, a two-time team captain for the Lady Volunteers, has demonstrated the virtues worthy of this award through her service in the community, her work in the classroom and her performances in competition.
"Diane is every bit deserving of this honor," UT Lady Vol Head Coach Myrtle Ferguson said. "During her entire time at Tennessee, she has been a self-motivated student, and her dedication to her sport is second to none. In all facets of her life, she just takes care of business.
"She also truly enjoys being able to give, whether it is to her teammates, supporters of our program, people in the community or those in need. Diane loves being a Lady Vol, and this honor is quite fitting for all of the contributions she's made to our athletic department and the University of Tennessee."
Slinden's activism includes the organization of a September 11 Emergency Relief Fund, serving as a mentor in a program at Beaumont Elementary School and working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association as a member of its "Muscle Team".
In the classroom, where she is majoring in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, Slinden is a three-time recipient of Lady Vol Academic Honor Roll distinction. She has also twice been a member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, was chosen to the Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Team and is a member of the Biological Services National Honor Society.
As a competitor, Slinden is every bit as successful. In her first three seasons, she earned an invitation to the NCAA Outdoor Championships as a discus thrower. In 2001, she achieved All-America status for the first time, placing seventh at the national meet in Eugene, Ore.
Within the Southeastern Conference, she has recorded the best discus throws for the past two seasons, charting a 182-3 mark in 2001 and registering a heave of 173-8 thus far in 2002. That mark currently ranks her fourth among U.S. collegiate throwers.
During her career, Slinden has claimed victory in the discus at eight meets and has scored points for Tennessee at the SEC Championships in both the discus and shot put. She also holds the school and Stokely Athletics Center records in the weight throw and ranks number two all-time at UT in the hammer throw.
The honoree will be in action this week at the Sea Ray Relays at UT's Tom Black Track. On Friday, she will join five other Lady Vols and volunteer assistant coach Aretha Hill in the discus competition at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, she will come back and throw the shot at 2:30 p.m.
Slinden is the daughter of Howard and Rita Slinden of Menomonie, Wis.
