Ezry the Tiger joined in the fun at Wittenberg's campus celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day in 2014.
Photo by Maigan Larsen
Springfield, Ohio – Wittenberg University’s Department of Athletics will host its annual celebration of National Girls And Women In Sports Day (NGWSD) at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Center Gymnasium.
Coaches and student-athletes representing each of Wittenberg’s 12 varsity women’s teams will be assembled in the Gymnasium, conducting demonstrations of their sports, publicizing upcoming season schedules, youth camps and clinics, and interacting with participants. Girls of any age interested in athletics are invited to participate in the event, which is free of charge, and they will have the opportunity to get autographs from Wittenberg coaches and student-athletes.
The 2015 event will also feature a special booth that will include literature and activities to encourage young girls to build self-confidence, self-worth and leadership abilities.
Wittenberg has long been at the forefront of collegiate women’s athletics, thanks to such pioneers as Betty Dillahunt, Ruth Helsel, Dottie Lemieux, Pat Clouse, Caroline Zimmerman, Pam Smith and Linda Arena, who have spearheaded nearly 100 years of expanding opportunities and encouraging excellence. Hosting an NGWSD event each year allows today’s Tiger coaches and student-athletes to maintain that leadership role.
“I hope that in hosting this event we can inspire other young women to get involved with a sport and to believe in themselves,” said junior cross country/track and field runner Sarah Ellis (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City), who is heading the event’s organizing committee. “I think in today’s society many young women don’t have self-confidence and don’t believe in themselves. I’m hoping that this program helps them realize that they are worthy and that they can do something amazing and fun.”
Wittenberg’s NGWSD celebration is scheduled to conclude at approximately 1:30 p.m. Participants are then encouraged to cross Legends Lobby to attend Wittenberg’s women’s basketball game against Denison at 2 p.m. in Pam Evans Smith Arena. All NGWSD participants will receive free admission into the game.
NGWSD began in 1987 to honor former Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. Since its inception, NGWSD has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
Written By: Ryan Maurer