NU celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day

February 4 marked the 18th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1986 to celebrate the achievements of girls and women in sports, NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies and other activities.

To honor the occasion at Norwich, ten members of the Lady Cadets Women's Basketball squad teamed up with ten third, fourth and fifth grade girls for an informal shoot-around and skills on the basketball court in Andrews Hall. In the lobby, an ongoing exhibition of freshman research projects relating to women's participation and achievements in physical education and athletics was set up for public viewing.

New this year, NGWSD is promoting "Take a Girl to the Game" day. On Saturday, February 7, in Andrews Hall, parents are invited to bring their daughters to watch the Lady Cadets Basketball Team take on Emerson College at 4:00 p.m. in a conference match-up. The team, currently 15-5 under second-year Head Coach Steve Lanpher and first-year Assistant Alex Gravel , is well on its way to qualifying for a GNAC playoff berth. Admission is free.

Physical Education Professor Geoff Davison, who has organized NGWSD at Norwich each of the past three years, sees the event as an opportunity for increasing public awareness of women's achievement and participation in sport.

"Oftentimes we overlook or ignore the contributions and achievements of women and girls in this society," said Davison. "This event at Norwich University (the only one in the state of Vermont) is a vehicle to encourage girls participation in physical activity and sport through increasing awareness of the achievement of others. Providing positive role models and recognizing the underlying health and gender equity issues is the first step to creating opportunities and solutions," Davison added.

At the conclusion of the activities, each girl was presented with an official certificate recognizing her participation in the celebration. NGWSD is sponsored by five prominent national organizations: Girls Incorporated, Girl Scouts of the USA, National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, the Women's Sports Foundation, and the YWCA of the U.S.A..

February 2004