Salisbury University Athletics proudly announces the creation of the Mariuna Morrison & Lynne Harvel Endowment for Sea Gull Leadership, a fund dedicated to empowering women in athletics to pursue their dreams while fostering a strong sense of community and teamwork.

Made possible through the generous contributions of Pohanka Automotive Group and Vice President Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello, this initiative is inspired by the impact that college athletics can have on personal growth and success. This endowment and matching fund are designed to support people interested in women's varsity programs and their participants at Salisbury University. It aims to create a lasting legacy of support that elevates the Sea Gulls' competitive edge and enriches the lives of our student-athletes. 

The fund honors the legacies of two pioneers in women's athletics at Salisbury, Mariuna Morrison and Lynne Harvel.

Mariuna Morrison: Morrison was a physical education teacher, coach and women's athletic administrator at then Salisbury State Teacher's College from 1960-1998.  A pioneer in women's athletics, she served as coach for women's basketball for 20 seasons, compiling almost 200 wins and even took the team on a trip to California in the 1960s, something unheard of in collegiate women's athletics at the time.  She also coached five seasons of field hockey in the 1960s.  Her role as the unofficial director of women's athletics, helped set the stage for the success Sea Gull women's teams experience today.

Lynne Harvel: Harvel, who came to Salisbury in 1970 as a physical education instructor and coach, led field hockey to a 1-0 win over in-state rival and powerhouse, the University of Maryland in 1973.  She coached for four seasons, all with a winning record, before starting the women's lacrosse program at SU.  She took the team from club status in 1972 to varsity in 1974, beginning a program that would go on to win multiple National Championships.  Lynn was known as a hard-worker and as a person of high moral standard and integrity.  She was a role model to her players and students and a strong proponent of Title IX.

The Morrison & Harvel endowment and fund for Sea Gull Leadership provides funding beyond annual operating budgets, ensuring female student-athletes have access to new opportunities, including:

• Leadership development workshops, speakers, and conferences
• Off-campus travel for competitions and professional development opportunities
• Industry experts and presenters brought to campus
• Immediate program needs through the expendable fund

"As women's sports continue to gain prominence on the national stage, Salisbury is proud to provide new opportunities for our student-athletes to thrive," said Monica Polizzi, SU Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation. "This fund is not only a tribute to two women who shaped our history but also an invitation for anyone to help carry their legacy forward."

Through leadership workshops, guest speakers, and professional development opportunities, the fund provides female student-athletes with tools to grow into confident, capable leaders. The impact is already being felt. Earlier this semester, the fund supported a visit from Anne Parmenter, a highly accomplished mountaineer and college field hockey coach, who delivered an inspiring talk on finding inner strength and resilience.

Having summited Mount Everest, Denali, Mont Blanc, and Aconcagua, Parmenter has completed two Everest expeditions. She is an avid marathon runner, who has also conquered the Hartford and Boston Marathons. From 2001 to 2022, Anne served as the head field hockey coach at Trinity College before her retirement. During her tenure, she led the Bantams to consistent postseason success, including several NCAA tournaments runs and a National Final Four appearance.

Anne's talk centered on themes of empowering your inner strength, creating your "new normal", and embracing the idea that success is standing on the top of the mountain, while failure is not even putting the backpack on in the first place. She shared inspiring insights on resiliency, overcoming setbacks, and the power of mindset—drawing parallels between her mountaineering and coaching experiences. In keeping with Parmenter's message, the Morrison and Harvel Fund emphasizes how collegiate athletics can drive personal growth and long-term success.

"This fund is about more than athletics; it's about leadership, growth, and opportunity," said Fitzgerald-Angello; "These two coaches and mentors inspired countless young women to believe in themselves, and this fund will ensure that spirit continues to guide future Sea Gulls."

Join Us in Supporting the Future of Women's Athletics
Support from alumni, friends, and community members will ensure Salisbury's women's athletic programs continue to excel. Anyone who believes in helping our women student-athletes succeed can make a difference.

To honor Coach Morrison, Coach Harvel or to show your support, please visit us online here, or search the fund by name on SU's giving page at https://giving.salisbury.edu.  For questions or to make a contribution via check or pledge, please contact Stan Bradley, Director of Athletic Development, at sbradley@salisbury.edu

Join us in making a difference for current and future Sea Gulls. Together, we can uplift our women's athletic programs and participants and inspire a new era of excellence at Salisbury University!