George Washington University Athletics
Meyers Taylor Addresses Class of 2022 at Commencement
5/16/2022 9:39:00 AM | General, Softball
GW Athletics Hall of Famer offered keynote address Sunday
On her inspiring journey to Olympic history, Elana Meyers Taylor has earned undergraduate, graduate and honorary GW degrees, and on Sunday, the former softball standout-turned-decorated bobsledder was back at the National Mall to deliver the keynote address to the Class of 2022Â at University Commencement.
Three months after winning her fourth and fifth career medals at the Beijing Games to become most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history, Meyers Taylor (B.S. '06, M.T.A. '11, HON '18) shared three stories from her career highlighting the theme of resilience with the estimated crowd of 31,000 graduates and guests during the university's first in-person commencement ceremony held in its traditional end-of-the-academic-year slot since 2019.
Meyers Taylor's first story was about overcoming her failed Olympic softball tryout shortly after wrapping her career in Buff and Blue, and the second told of shaking off criticism and worse as she pushed boundaries to become the first woman to make the U.S. men's national team as a four-man sled driver in 2014.
The last one detailed her recent experience in COVID isolation after a positive test shortly after her arrival in Beijing. She said she focused on what she could control during a tough situation and did whatever she could to keep her preparation on course.
Once cleared for competition, that approach paid off in monobob silver and two-woman bronze, making her the first woman to collect two bobsled medals in a single Games.
"I hope that in the future when you confront failure, when people try to stand in your way, when other unexpected challenges seem almost overwhelming, that you will look back to today and know that among all the skills you honed here at the George Washington University, resilience may be the most important," Meyers Taylor told the graduates. "I hope you will use it to create your own medal-worthy moments."
Meyers Taylor has been a trailblazer at every stage of her athletic career.Â
The Georgia native was the first recruit in the GW softball program's history and a leader during its early development. A two-time A-10 Student-Athlete of the Year and CoSIDA Academic All-American, she closed her career in 2007Â as the Buff and Blue's all-time leader in nearly every offensive category.
After missing out on a spot on the 2008 Olympic softball team, Meyers Taylor transitioned to bobsled. She made her Olympic debut at the 2010 Vancouver Games and has continued to hold a place at the top of her sport through Olympics in Sochi, PyeongChang and most recently, Beijing.
Over her four Olympic appearances, Meyers Taylor has gone five-for-five medaling in her events to become the most decorated Team USA bobsledder of all-time. Along the way, she's emerged as a barrier-breaking pioneer for women in sports and a leading voice for equality and representation.
While starring on the global stage, Meyers Taylor has maintained a strong connection to the Buff and Blue. She was inducted into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014, had her No. 24 retired at GW Softball Field later that year and received an honorary Doctorate of Public Service during University Commencement in 2018.
Last school year, Meyers Taylor was honored among GW's Monumental Alumni during its Bicentennial Celebration.
Three months after winning her fourth and fifth career medals at the Beijing Games to become most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history, Meyers Taylor (B.S. '06, M.T.A. '11, HON '18) shared three stories from her career highlighting the theme of resilience with the estimated crowd of 31,000 graduates and guests during the university's first in-person commencement ceremony held in its traditional end-of-the-academic-year slot since 2019.
Meyers Taylor's first story was about overcoming her failed Olympic softball tryout shortly after wrapping her career in Buff and Blue, and the second told of shaking off criticism and worse as she pushed boundaries to become the first woman to make the U.S. men's national team as a four-man sled driver in 2014.
The last one detailed her recent experience in COVID isolation after a positive test shortly after her arrival in Beijing. She said she focused on what she could control during a tough situation and did whatever she could to keep her preparation on course.
Once cleared for competition, that approach paid off in monobob silver and two-woman bronze, making her the first woman to collect two bobsled medals in a single Games.
"I hope that in the future when you confront failure, when people try to stand in your way, when other unexpected challenges seem almost overwhelming, that you will look back to today and know that among all the skills you honed here at the George Washington University, resilience may be the most important," Meyers Taylor told the graduates. "I hope you will use it to create your own medal-worthy moments."
2022 GW Commencement Speaker - Elana Meyers Taylor from The George Washington University on Vimeo.
Meyers Taylor has been a trailblazer at every stage of her athletic career.Â
The Georgia native was the first recruit in the GW softball program's history and a leader during its early development. A two-time A-10 Student-Athlete of the Year and CoSIDA Academic All-American, she closed her career in 2007Â as the Buff and Blue's all-time leader in nearly every offensive category.
After missing out on a spot on the 2008 Olympic softball team, Meyers Taylor transitioned to bobsled. She made her Olympic debut at the 2010 Vancouver Games and has continued to hold a place at the top of her sport through Olympics in Sochi, PyeongChang and most recently, Beijing.
Over her four Olympic appearances, Meyers Taylor has gone five-for-five medaling in her events to become the most decorated Team USA bobsledder of all-time. Along the way, she's emerged as a barrier-breaking pioneer for women in sports and a leading voice for equality and representation.
While starring on the global stage, Meyers Taylor has maintained a strong connection to the Buff and Blue. She was inducted into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014, had her No. 24 retired at GW Softball Field later that year and received an honorary Doctorate of Public Service during University Commencement in 2018.
Last school year, Meyers Taylor was honored among GW's Monumental Alumni during its Bicentennial Celebration.
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