Sept. 24, 2008

Philadelphia, PA - Many student-athletes will eventually travel on career paths that are not related to athletics after their collegiate days are over. The importance of this viewpoint was expressed at the NCAS/Big 5 Sportsmanship Breakfast on Saturday, September 20 in La Salle's Union Ballroom. The theme was "There is Life After Collegiate Sports" and ESPN 950 radio host Don Tollefson moderated the event.

"We were all here for a common goal," said senior Margaret Elderton on Saturday's event bringing all five Philadelphia basketball programs together. "We joked around, talked about school and even got to learn a little bit about each student-athlete and what he or she likes outside of basketball."

Among the Big 5 alumni representatives in attendance, Ann Gallagher-Till was the La Salle women's basketball player who addressed the current Big 5 student-athletes. Gallagher-Till, who was originally known as Ann Gallagher, played from 1993-97 and led her team in assists all four years. She totaled 465 career assists and averaged a career-high 4.9 per game in 1994-95. Gallagher-Till, who moved on to the medical field, became a doctor after her basketball career.

"It was great to hear from some of the alumni," said Elderton. "It was nice to meet [Gallagher-Till] and to also learn about her experiences. Even though basketball isn't a primary focus for her right now, it is still a part of her life."

Over 200 student-athletes, coaches and staff members were present at the event on the campus of La Salle University.