University News
National Girls and Women in Sports Day to be marked at WIU Feb. 4
January 20, 2012
MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) Saturday, Feb. 4. The theme for NGWSD 2012 is "Title IX at 40: in it for the Long Run."
NGWSD was established in 1986 to celebrate the achievements of girls and women in sports and to honor Flo Hyman, a member of the 1984 Olympic silver medal volleyball team who died suddenly while competing in Japan in 1986. The day also serves to recognize the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
WIU President Jack Thomas will sign a proclamation declaring Wednesday, Feb. 1 as National Girls and Women in Sports Day at WIU. Thomas is also expected to call on the campus community to recognize the important role athletics play in the development of young women throughout the country, and to participate in NGWSD activities.
A schedule of activities is planned on campus Saturday, Feb. 4, prior to and during the WIU Women's basketball game, and on Wednesday, Feb. 1, when information and resources will be available in the University Union Concourse from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Girls ages 8-18, including local Girl Scouts and local female student-athletes (attending as teams or individuals) are invited to attend the NGWSD activities planned for Saturday, Feb. 4.
Western Illinois University will be offering a chance to learn about a variety of sports from the college student-athletes who play them. Participants also will enjoy a healthy lunch.
Volunteers from Campus Recreation, the WIU Women's Center, Campus Girl Scouts and the kinesiology and recreation, park and tourism administration student organizations will provide resources and information about the importance of fitness, exercise and sports. To end the day, participants will head to Western Hall to watch the WIU women's basketball team play, starting at 4:30 p.m. All participants and WIU women's teams will be recognized at halftime.
The cost is $14 for each participant and adult volunteer. Event price includes game ticket, lunch, t-shirt (for girls) and goodie bag (for girls).
General admission tickets to the game may be purchased in Western Hall by parents or others who would like to attend the game but who will not be attending activities earlier in the day. Registration is required and forms must be received by Jan. 30.
Girls whose registrations are received by Jan. 24 will get a t-shirt at the event, and those whose forms are received after Jan. 24 will get a shirt at a later date. A waiver signed by a parent/guardian of each girl participating must accompany the registration form. Registration forms and waivers are available on the WIU Women's Center website at wiu.edu/wc.
Western's NGWSD celebration is sponsored by the WIU Women's Center, Campus Girl Scouts, Campus Recreation, Intercollegiate Athletics, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and the kinesiology and recreation, park and tourism administration departments, in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.
For more information, contact the Women's Center at (309) 298-2242 or visit wiu.edu/wc.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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