By Bridget Algeo Letukas
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/16/10
Don’t be surprised if senior midfielder Elizabeth Cannon and her fellow teammates at Ursinus College create a path to the Centennial Conference playoffs this spring.
After all, the United Sports Scholar-Athlete of the Week is used to blazing her own trails.
Take, for instance, Cannon’s academic major – one that she proposed, designed, and presented to the academic institution herself. Her program, which focuses solving modern-day problems through a combination of behavioral, environmental, and societal studies, is just one example of Cannon’s ability to put into something into place where nothing existed before.
Cannon, a Centennial Conference All-Academic pick who credits her parents for instilling in her a proactive and service-oriented life philosophy, spent the fall of her junior year in South Africa. There, she developed a research project that brought athletics into the lives of young sixth grade girls.
“It was the most transformational experience I’ve ever had,” says Cannon of her effort to teach empowerment, self-esteem, and confidence through sports to the students.
Upon returning, Cannon and her drive to leave a positive imprint on society led to the creation of UCARE, the Ursinus Center for Advocacy, Responsibility, and Engagement.
“Basically, we are a focal point for any kind of service going on on campus,” she explains. According to Cannon, these projects included existing efforts as well as the formation of new community partnerships. Since founding the office with two other students and a faculty member, Cannon has been hired as its fulltime assistant director.
In the meantime, Cannon and the Lady Bears (9-4 overall, 4-2 in the Centennial Conference) are hoping to leave their own mark as they approach four upcoming conference battles.
We are in a very tough conference,” states Cannon, who has amassed 16 goals and 12 assists this year in nine games. “And we have four big conference games coming up.”
True to form, Cannon remains optimistic about her team’s chances.
“We’re very motivated.”
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