Walker named NWL Woman of the Year
The Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to her club, league or baseball during the past season. Walker also was nominated for this prestigious award in 2004. The winner of the 2005 award will be announced at the Baseball Winter Meetings on Dec. 5 in Dallas, Texas.
The league award and Lisa's national nomination are due largely to her efforts supporting community outreach and non-profit programs for the Volcanoes. In 2004, the Volcanoes' community outreach initiatives set records with the quality and quantity of programs designed to benefit the people of Salem-Keizer and the surrounding areas. In 2005, all of those records were shattered.
Cancer Awareness Night is the Volcanoes' marquee community initiative. In 2005, more than 200 cancer survivors were joined by players and staff on the field for a pregame ceremony. Lisa, a breast cancer survivor herself, gave a motivational speech. Select cancer survivors sang the national anthem, did the ceremonial running of the bases and throwing out of the ceremonial first pitches.
An informational health fair, focusing on cancer awareness, was held on the stadium concourse. Every reserved and box seat was sold out for this special night before the season began -- over two months before the event. Since Lisa first created Cancer Awareness Night in 2002, it has grown each season and has been emulated by many teams across the country.