Approximately 600 people participated in the ninth annual Walk for Women Saturday to support the female athletics programs at Southeast Missouri State University.

The walk brought in more than $50,000, which will help pay for student-athlete's scholarships.

The walk is important to members of the university and community members not only because of the money it brings in, but also because of the appreciation it shows for women's athletics.

"It's a very meaningful thing because I believe anything we can do to place attention on women and their accomplishments and their achievements and their potential is good," President Carlos Vargas said. "I'm excited that this is an event that's been going on now for a ninth time, and I feel very happy to be able participate and contribute to it."

Senior Associate Director of Athletics Cindy Gannon not only founded the Walk for Women, but also directs the event.

She emphasized the importance of the event for the recognition of women's sports at Southeast.

"We wanted to take an opportunity because our student-athletes, all of our student-athletes, work very hard, whether it's on the court or on the field," Gannon said. "But today is a day for us to say we realize our female athletes put in a lot of time and a lot of effort and put out a great product as well."

Interim Director of Athletics Brady Barke was pleased with the turnout and the setup of the walk.

"It's been a really great day. It's nice that we moved it back into Houck Field House after having it in the recreation center last year, it just has a different feel to it here," Barke said. "We had a great crowd come out for the actual walk, in addition to the people who supported the cause but couldn't be here."

Most of Southeast's sports teams participated in the walk, along with community members.

Many children also made the 1.6-mile journey, although some had to be carried by student-athletes to be able to finish the walk.

"That's what we're talking about with giving back to the community and being role models, all of those types of things," Barke said. "It's good for our student-athletes to interact with the kids, and then they want to come out and watch them, support them."

Among the community members in attendance, Montgomery Bank's employees won the Bank Challenge Award as the leading contributors from a bank, and Realty Executives' representatives won the Realtor Challenge Award.

Weezy's Wacky Walkers raised the most money of any team and won the Kim Mothershead Award.

"It has the financial component, which is important for us to be able to continue to move our programs forward and be able to help support our women's programs," Barke said. "Just to see the community support and the opportunity to celebrate everything that's happening here at Southeast with women's athletics is what makes the day really special."

Gannon echoed the importance of the boosters, because of the opportunities that come with having additional resources.

"That $55,000 goes a long way towards helping our student-athletes," Gannon said. "The opportunity we've had to be able to increase and enhance our scholarship program has really been a tribute to this event in the nine years we've hosted it."