Zach Lowe Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Strategic Initiatives (Sport Administrator: Soccer, Lacrosse) | LinkedIn
Zach Lowe Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Strategic Initiatives (Sport Administrator: Soccer, Lacrosse) | LinkedIn
Sarah Dame, a distinguished gymnast from Central Michigan University (CMU), is set to be inducted into the CMU Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class. The ceremony will take place on Friday, September 20, at McGuirk Arena.
Dame's journey in gymnastics began at the age of two in Maple City, northern Michigan. Her parents enrolled her in the sport to teach her discipline and life lessons. Reflecting on her early start, Dame remarked, "I did not take turns or wait in line very well so that's how I got started."
During her time at CMU from 2000-03, Dame was instrumental in leading the team to three Mid-American Conference championships. She earned All-MAC honors twice and was the MAC all-around champion in 2001. In 2003, she helped CMU achieve its best-ever finish in an NCAA Regional by tying for second place and also qualified for the NCAA Championships as an individual.
In addition to her athletic achievements, Dame excelled academically. She graduated with a near-perfect grade point average and was named an Academic All-American. She also received four Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association Scholastic All-America Team honors.
After completing her undergraduate studies at CMU, Dame pursued a law degree at Indiana University Law School, where she earned her juris doctor. Since 2007, she has served as a judicial law clerk for a federal judge in Indianapolis. Dame lives there with her husband Jason Wuerfel and their two daughters.
Reflecting on how gymnastics influenced both her professional and personal life, Dame stated: "It's a sport of perfection... It teaches lessons more about the journey than the result." She emphasized that striving for continuous improvement has been a valuable lesson carried over into her career.
As she prepares for her induction into the Hall of Fame alongside other notable athletes such as wrestling coach Tom Borrelli and football player Eric Fisher, Dame fondly recalls the relationships formed during her time at CMU. "Those are the things that I took forward with me," she said. "Jerry [Reighard] and Christine [MacDonald] were both just huge impacts on my life."
The induction ceremony will be followed by an introduction of inductees at the CMU-Ball State football game on Saturday, September 21.
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