National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is recognized on Feb. 1. This year marks the 37th annual celebration. Mercyhurst hosted its 10th Girls & Women in Sports day, which was one of over 1,000 events that occurred throughout the country. On Saturday, Feb. 11, Mercyhurst hosted a day
for young girls to come and interact with the women’s sports teams on campus. “We are thrilled to salute the progress of girls and women in sports and encourage our student-athletes to share the benefits that sports and fitness activities can bring to their lives,” Bethany Woods, co-director of the event, said in a recent Mercyhurst press release. The teams that participated were Cheer and STUNT, Soccer, Dance, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Golf, Rowing, Bowling, Figure Skating and Equestrian. “All the girls were very enthusiastic to be there and to try new sports,” said Veronica Kibbe, a junior member of the Figure Skating team. Each team had a station for the girls to try what their sport is like. There were a lot of girls who came to participate in the event and there
were even some Girl Scout troops that came together to demonstrate the importance of female athletics from a young age. “It is important for these girls to come here and see us as role models, and knowing that this is something that could be in their future too, that sports are not just for men, but women can excel in them too,” said Kibbe. After the girls went around to the stations, there was a reception with pizza and treats for the girls to celebrate their hard work throughout the day. The girls who participated then received free admission to the Women’s Basketball game at 5:30 that night. This was a great opportunity for the girls to see some collegiate female athletes as many of them probably want to play a sport in college. “My favorite part was seeing how excited they were to try everything and the confidence they had in trying new things. I especially loved all the girls claiming
they were going to come to Mercyhurst to be just like us when they were old enough,” said Kibbe.
According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, NGWSD “inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life.”
NGWSD started in 1987 in Washington D.C., to recognize women’s sports. The first day also remembered Olympic volleyball player, Flo Hyman, for her athletic achievements and dedication
to promoting equality in women’s sports; she passed away in 1986. Last year, the Women’s Sports Foundation had a year-long celebration of Title IX’s 50th anniversary. NGWSD strives to, “honor the achievements of girls and women in sports and continues to Lead Her Forward by acknowledging the power of sports to unlock her limitless potential.” There was even a commercial during the Super Bowl that showed the NFL supporting women who play football and flag football.
The commercial featured current and former NFL players and at the end, there was a message that appeared on the screen that said the NFL can’t wait to see what they can do next. The event was a huge success and everyone who participated in the event is excited about next year’s event.