Over the weekend the Wittenberg University Athletic Department in conjunction with the Health, Fitness and Sport Department hosted the first National Girl & Women In Sports Day Symposium.  A nearly full-house set the scene for the day, as the student-athletes and members from all around the Wittenberg community, came together to learn about the importance of the history of National Women In Sports, as well as how they as current Tigers can take their light and create a better future for Tigers and any athletes to follow in their footsteps.

The day included three 'Pecha-Kucha' style presentations from various areas of the Wittenberg campus community. Presentations topics included "Women Athletes in the Media" presented by Associate Professor Jen Parsons, Ed, D. Professor Margaret Goodman, Ph.D. from the Biology department spoke on the benefits of "Life-long Athletic Life". Assistant Professor Sarah Jurewicz, M.F.A wrapped up the panel with her topic on "Title IX and Athlete Equity". The afternoon was highlighted by keynote speaker and Wittenberg alum Lauren Thompson ('04).

Thompson majored in Education at Wittenberg. Lauren has a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Lead Assistant Instructor at UP as well. She is an assistant principal at Dexter Middle School in Dexter, MI, the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Dexter High School and the founder of Ascent Leadership. Thompson works with college students, athletic teams, coaches, and all levels of educators. Lauren's life passions are centered on the reform of education programs to include teacher well-being and resilience training for all educators, embed positive psychology into athletic coaching practices to help empower female athletes to reach their full potential and to build future female leaders in both athletics and the workplace.

"I am so incredibly proud of our staff, faculty, and students for the work that they did to put on this event.  I'm especially thankful to Kelly Mahlum and Lauren Thompson, class of 2004, for taking the idea we spoke about and making it become a reality," expressed Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Gary Williams, "It was great to be reminded of where we have come from, where we are today, and the work still ahead of us as we make a commitment to provide a more inclusive environment through our opportunities in athletics and recreational programming.  This weekend was a first, of what I hope to be many more occasions, for our campus and department to come together to not just celebrate the progress we have made for women and girls in sport, but to also challenge one another to strive to do more and be more intentional in the ways we promote equality for all of our student-athletes and staff.

So proud of our faculty and staff for sponsoring our first National Girl and Women in Sport Symposium today for @WittAthletics @wittenberg Important to remember our past, empower our present and strive to make a better world for our future #BuildingChampionsforaLifetime pic.twitter.com/dTPWmuGv8r

— Gary Williams (@TigerUpWittAD) February 9, 2020

It was a great day, celebrating our first National Girl and Women in Sport Symposium!
Inspiring words from some great Tigers! #BuildingChampionsforaLifetime #TigerUp pic.twitter.com/eaz5MKPWL3

— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) February 9, 2020