HJ315: Commending Sonja O. Stills.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 315
Commending Sonja O. Stills.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 7, 2022
Agreed to by the Senate, March 9, 2022

 

WHEREAS, Sonja O. Stills, who has long served the interests of student-athletes in the Commonwealth, became Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on January 1, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills’ promotion makes her the first female commissioner in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) history, as well as the first female commissioner of a Division I conference among historically black colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills joined MEAC in October 2002 and over the past 19 years has risen through the ranks while demonstrating extraordinary professionalism and passion for her work; and

WHEREAS, throughout her tenure with MEAC, Sonja Stills has fostered the growth and development of countless student-athletes while helping the conference achieve its objectives; and

WHEREAS, in her former positions with MEAC, including Senior Associate Commissioner for administration and compliance, Sonja Stills was instrumental to securing corporate partnerships for the conference and improving the visibility of its brand; and

WHEREAS, in January 2021, Sonja Stills was elevated to the roles of Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer of MEAC, responsible for overseeing various aspects of the conference’s operations, including hiring, strategic planning, branding, budget and finances, and more; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills continues to maintain her role as MEAC’s Director of Esports, guiding this innovative addition to the conference’s portfolio of programs and initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills maintains membership in several professional organizations to hone her leadership abilities and support the success of others, including the National Association for Athletics Compliance, Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, and Women Leaders in College Sports; and

WHEREAS, prior to joining MEAC, Sonja Stills acquired experience as Hampton University’s coordinator of athletic academic support, while she graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Counseling in 1993, from Hampton University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling in 1996, and from the Sports Management Institute in 2002; and

WHEREAS, the exemplary commitment and inspired vision that Sonja Stills brings to her new position will undoubtedly burnish the love and respect the community has for MEAC and its traditions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Sonja O. Stills for being named the Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sonja O. Stills as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her contributions to the Commonwealth.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 315

Offered February 28, 2022
Commending Sonja O. Stills.
Patron-- Williams Graves

WHEREAS, Sonja O. Stills, who has long served the interests of student-athletes in the Commonwealth, became Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on January 1, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills’s promotion makes her the first female commissioner in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) history, as well as the first female commissioner of a Division I conference among historically black colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills joined MEAC in October 2002 and over the past 19 years has risen through the ranks while demonstrating extraordinary professionalism and passion for her work; and

WHEREAS, throughout her tenure with MEAC, Sonja Stills has fostered the growth and development of countless student-athletes while helping the conference achieve its objectives; and

WHEREAS, in her former positions with MEAC, including Senior Associate Commissioner for administration and compliance, Sonja Stills was instrumental to securing corporate partnerships for the conference and improving the visibility of its brand; and

WHEREAS, in January 2021, Sonja Stills was elevated to the roles of Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer of MEAC, responsible for overseeing various aspects of the conference’s operations, including hiring, strategic planning, branding, budget and finances, and more; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills continues to maintain her role as MEAC’s Director of Esports, guiding this innovative addition to the conference’s portfolio of programs and initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Sonja Stills maintains membership in several professional organizations to hone her leadership abilities and support the success of others, including the National Association for Athletics Compliance, Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, and Women Leaders in College Sports; and

WHEREAS, prior to joining MEAC, Sonja Stills acquired experience as Hampton University’s coordinator of athletic academic support, while she also graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Counseling in 1993, from Hampton University with a Master’s Degree in Counseling in 1996, and from the Sports Management Institute in 2002; and

WHEREAS, the exemplary commitment and inspired vision that Sonja Stills brings to her new position will undoubtedly burnish the love and respect the community has for MEAC and its traditions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Sonja O. Stills for being named the Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sonja O. Stills as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her contributions to the Commonwealth.