St. John's University Athletics
Photo by: Jad Nammour
Shenneika Smith and Kathy Meehan Honored by St. John’s University at “Celebrating Women’s History Month” Luncheon
3/25/2024 5:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Both St. John’s Athletics Hall of Famers were recognized by University in honor of women’s history month
NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.– St. John's women's basketball Assistant Coach Shenneika Smith and longtime former administrator Kathy Meehan were honored at a University luncheon celebrating women's history month on Saturday.
Members of the St. John's University community gathered on Saturday afternoon at The Inn in New Hyde Park, N.Y. to celebrate women's history month and the remarkable achievements these women have made to the university and beyond.
Both members of the St. John's Athletics Hall of Fame, Meehan, '79 Ed, '79 GEd, was presented with the Lifetime Achiever Recipient award and Smith, '13 CCPS, earned the Women's Achiever Recipient award.
Longtime St. John's Volleyball Head Coach Joanne Persico served as the events Mistress of Ceremonies welcoming the honorees and their families.
Both recipients addressed the event's attendees discussing their experiences at St. John's as both student-athletes and staff members.
Meehan retired in July after dedicating nearly five decades of service in many capacities in Queens. A double alumna of St. John's, Meehan was a member of the school's first-ever women's basketball team I 1974-75 and went on to make a profound impact in the advancement of women's athletics at the university and on the national scale. Meehan spearhead the introduction of several women's sports team at St. John's and played a pivotal role in the evolution of the BIG EAST Conference.
After starting her time as a student-athlete, Meehan began her long and decorated career after being hired by the late Jack Kaiser as Assistant Director for Women's Athletics, Women's Intramural Director and Women's Basketball Assistant Coach. She went onto hold many roles for the department including- Women's Athletic Director, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Associate Vice President for Athletics and Senior Deputy Athletics Director. The Long Island native also took on the role of Interim Athletic Director three times during her tenue.
Beyond her contributions at St. John's, Meehan served on numerous national committees. Most notably the NCAA's Women's Basketball and Volleyball Oversight committees working to enhance the development of the sports on the national level.
A 2021 St. John's Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Smith has made her mark on the University community both as a player and coach. As a player, the Brooklyn native holds one of the most decorated careers in the history of Red Storm Women's Basketball from 2009-13. The guard ranks fifth all-time on the career scoring list with 1,727 total points. Smith guided the Johnnies to four NCAA Tournament appearances including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2012. The guard was the 2012 Metropolitan Basketball Writers' Association Player of the Year, a 2013 Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Honorable Mention choice and a two-time All-BIG EAST First Team player. Following her illustrious career in Queens, Smith became the second player in program history to be selected in the WNBA Draft, as she was chosen 25th overall by the New York Liberty in 2015.
After her professional playing career, Smith returned to campus in 2017 to take a position as the program's assistant director of basketball operations. One year later, she was promoted to assistant coach and has spent the last six seasons as a valuable member of Head Coach Joe Tartamella's coaching staff.
To learn more about the St. John's University "Celebrating Women's History Month" Luncheon, visit its website.
Members of the St. John's University community gathered on Saturday afternoon at The Inn in New Hyde Park, N.Y. to celebrate women's history month and the remarkable achievements these women have made to the university and beyond.
Both members of the St. John's Athletics Hall of Fame, Meehan, '79 Ed, '79 GEd, was presented with the Lifetime Achiever Recipient award and Smith, '13 CCPS, earned the Women's Achiever Recipient award.
Longtime St. John's Volleyball Head Coach Joanne Persico served as the events Mistress of Ceremonies welcoming the honorees and their families.
Both recipients addressed the event's attendees discussing their experiences at St. John's as both student-athletes and staff members.
Meehan retired in July after dedicating nearly five decades of service in many capacities in Queens. A double alumna of St. John's, Meehan was a member of the school's first-ever women's basketball team I 1974-75 and went on to make a profound impact in the advancement of women's athletics at the university and on the national scale. Meehan spearhead the introduction of several women's sports team at St. John's and played a pivotal role in the evolution of the BIG EAST Conference.
After starting her time as a student-athlete, Meehan began her long and decorated career after being hired by the late Jack Kaiser as Assistant Director for Women's Athletics, Women's Intramural Director and Women's Basketball Assistant Coach. She went onto hold many roles for the department including- Women's Athletic Director, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Associate Vice President for Athletics and Senior Deputy Athletics Director. The Long Island native also took on the role of Interim Athletic Director three times during her tenue.
Beyond her contributions at St. John's, Meehan served on numerous national committees. Most notably the NCAA's Women's Basketball and Volleyball Oversight committees working to enhance the development of the sports on the national level.
A 2021 St. John's Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Smith has made her mark on the University community both as a player and coach. As a player, the Brooklyn native holds one of the most decorated careers in the history of Red Storm Women's Basketball from 2009-13. The guard ranks fifth all-time on the career scoring list with 1,727 total points. Smith guided the Johnnies to four NCAA Tournament appearances including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2012. The guard was the 2012 Metropolitan Basketball Writers' Association Player of the Year, a 2013 Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Honorable Mention choice and a two-time All-BIG EAST First Team player. Following her illustrious career in Queens, Smith became the second player in program history to be selected in the WNBA Draft, as she was chosen 25th overall by the New York Liberty in 2015.
After her professional playing career, Smith returned to campus in 2017 to take a position as the program's assistant director of basketball operations. One year later, she was promoted to assistant coach and has spent the last six seasons as a valuable member of Head Coach Joe Tartamella's coaching staff.
To learn more about the St. John's University "Celebrating Women's History Month" Luncheon, visit its website.
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