Wittenberg's Katie Gardner, class of 2009, is cheered by her teammates as she runs onto the court before a recent Tiger women's basketball game.
Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University women's basketball team will host a sports expo and a postgame meet and greet/autograph session with its players as part of a celebration of National Girls And Women In Sports Day (NGWSD) on Feb. 2.
A very busy day in Wittenberg's HPER Center actually starts with a dedication ceremony at noon as the university celebrates the life of Pam Evans Smith by officially naming its indoor arena to honor her memory. Architect of the most successful women's basketball program in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) since 1989, Smith passed away in June 2007 after a long bout with cancer.
While a reception takes place following the dedication ceremony, the HPER Center Gymnasium will come alive with sports of all sorts at 1 p.m. All 12 Wittenberg women's varsity athletics teams and several club sports will be represented as team members provide the hundreds of invited Springfield area children with camp information, slideshows and sports demonstrations.
In addition, professional female football player Andrea Judy, a local sports nutritionist and a certified athletic trainer will all be on hand to share their experiences working in athletics-related careers.
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.
Considering Wittenberg's success in intercollegiate women's athletics and its history of support for female participation in recreational activities, it is fitting that the university is celebrating NGWSD. Numerous pioneers in the field of collegiate women's athletics, most notably Betty Dillahunt, class of 1946, have played and/or coached at Wittenberg. Tiger teams have achieved a great deal on the field of play, including back-to-back NCAA Division III semifinal appearances by the volleyball team and NCAA Division III Round of 16 finishes for the women's basketball and women's soccer teams in the last five years as well.
"NGWSD is a wonderful way to celebrate female participation in sports and recreational activities and to promote healthy lifestyles," said Wittenberg Head Coach Sarah Jurewicz. "We look forward to sharing with the Springfield community the way athletics can positively impact young peoples' lives.
"Hopefully, these experiences will help them make recreational activities a significant part of their adult lives."
The Tigers, who have records of 7-7 overall and 6-1 in the NCAC heading into a key game against Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday, Jan. 26, tip off an important conference game at 2 p.m. in newly dedicated Pam Evans Smith Arena against the College of Wooster. There will be no admission charge for the game.
The expo will continue during halftime. The meet and greet/autograph session with Wittenberg women's basketball team members will take place immediately after the game.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photo By: Robert Gantt
006-08