3^rd Annual Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports

12:00pm – Educational Panel to inspire and educate in The Eagles Nest

Panel Facilitator: Danielle Plunkett  –  Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan
Danielle Plunkett has spent over three decades in the education and non-profit fields, combining her passion for social justice with her skills in personal and community development. As Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan she has helped grow the organization from a small start up to a thriving force for good in our community. In 2025 Danielle was appointed to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports.

Panelist: Marley Duerst  –  Girls Soccer Coach at Saline FC and Ypsilanti Community High school
A community-centered coach and mentor who works to create spaces where young people feel confident, supported, and powerful through sport. She coaches girls’ soccer at Saline FC and Ypsilanti Community High school. Marley supports academic and mental health access efforts within a community organization serving Latinx Spanish-speaking youth. Additionally, she facilitates workshops on mentorship and soccer education for coaches and PE teachers across the country through the US Soccer Foundation. Her work is rooted in strengthening community bonds and ensuring that young people—especially girls—have access to caring adults, meaningful opportunities, and equitable pathways in sport.

Panelist: Ella Grasson   –  EMU Student-Athlete, EMU Media Relations Team Member
A student-athlete that is driven by bringing people together through sports. As a member of the EMU Volleyball team, Ella has seen first hand how fans and athletes connect through sports. Ella is a member of the EMU Media Relations team, and is also a student assistant for the volleyball team. This past summer she worked for the Lake County Captains doing Ticket Sales, where she developed a passion for selling. Sales gives Ella a gateway to making connection with fans in the community, and learn about them as a people, not just fans. She supports women sports, and wants to help young girls develop skills needed to work in sports as a professional. She also serves as a mentor to young volleyball players through Athlete to Athlete.

Panelist: Lauren Drinane   –  EMU Senior Secretary for Football, former Track & Field athlete at Concordia University
Lauren Drinane has served the Eastern Michigan Football program for 2 years.  In her role, she works alongside the football student-athletes and coaches, playing a role in all things administration.  She has a passion for helping develop student-athletes off the field, setting them up for success as husbands, fathers, coworkers, and friends in the future by teaching them life skills through the lens of the game of football.  Prior to her time at Eastern Michigan, she served as the Director of Gymnastics Operations at Boise State University while earning a masters in athletic leadership.  As a former student-athlete herself, Lauren loves any opportunity to walk alongside collegiate student-athletes through their college journey.  

12:30pm – Sports Clinic (13 and under)

Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer, Cheer, Football, and more!

2:00pm – EMU Women’s Basketball Game with post-game autographs