University News
National Girls & Women in Sports Day
January 29, 2007
MACOMB -- Western Illinois University will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) Saturday, Feb. 3 and Wednesday, Feb. 7. The theme for NGWSD 2007 is "Throw Like a Girl, Lead Like a Champion."
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 Al Goldfarb will sign a proclamation Thursday, Feb. 1 declaring Wednesday, Feb. 7 as National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Western Illinois University, and calling upon the members of our campus community "to recognize the important role athletics play in the development of young women throughout the country, and to participate in NGWSD activities planned on campus Saturday, Feb. 3 during the Westerwinds basketball game, and Wednesday, Feb. 7 when information and resources will be available in the Union Concourse and at the Student Recreation Center."
Activities for the local Girl Scouts from the Two Rivers Council Brownie, Junior and Cadette troops will be held from noon-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 at Western's Brophy Hall. The girls will work to earn sports badges by participating in sports and fitness activities facilitated by members of the WIU women's soccer, softball and golf teams, and volunteers from kinesiology and recreation, park and tourism administration student organizations. Speakers -- including Westerwinds Basketball Head Coach Leslie Crane, Softball Head Coach Holly Van Vlymen, Westerwinds Softball player and strength and conditioning graduate assistant Aubrey Martin, kinesiology Professor and sport psychology Consultant Laura Finch and Campus Girl Scouts member Amanda Voss -- will also discuss the importance of fitness, exercise and sports.
Following the activities in Brophy Hall, the NGWSD participants will attend the 4 p.m. Westerwinds basketball game versus Oral Roberts. Activities open to the public will be offered in the Western Hall East Arena prior to the basketball game, where spectators can meet female student-athletes and coaches who will be recognized at halftime, along with the participating Girl Scout troops.
The Campus Girl Scouts and the Women's Center will host an information and resource tables in the University Union Concourse from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 and at the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center.
Western's NGWSD celebration is sponsored by the Women's Center, Campus Girl Scouts, Intercollegiate Athletics, Campus Recreation and the kinesiology and recreation, park and tourism administration departments, in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Two Rivers Council.
For more information, contact the Women's Center at 309/298-2242 or visit www.wc.wiu.edu.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
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