Photo Gallery FOX 2 News Feature On The Event
DETROIT -- Prior to the women's basketball team's thrilling overtime victory against UIC on Saturday, Detroit hosted its annual National Girls & Women in Sport Day in Calihan Hall. The turnout was a great success as more than 150 children, ages, 6-13, registered to learn, explore and celebrate the ever growing world of female athletics.
“This is such a great event and to see all these young girls interacting with our student-athletes is wonderful,” said Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Teri Kromrei. “Women's sports are growing at a fast rate in this country and here at Detroit. The University has always supported women in athletics and we have added two women's teams in women's golf and lacrosse in the last eight years.”
The day started with all the kids splitting up into eight groups to visit all the sports stations set up throughout Calihan Hall. Among the sports represented were golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball and track and field. The spirit groups were also involved in their own stations to teach the kids as well as a station on fitness and nutrition.
“We had different stations set up throughout Calihan Hall and for me, I was helping teach golf,” said
Collette Hansen, a junior on the UDM's women's golf team. “A lot of them have not played golf before so it was neat to get them involved and see if it's a sport they may want to play one day. There are a lot more opportunities for girls today.”
After the children had a chance to visit each of the stations, everyone got together for a pizza party with the student-athletes before taking in the Titan women's basketball game.
“Playing sports and being part of a team helps build life skills and helps you work together to achieve your goals,” said freshman
Melissa Anderson of the women's lacrosse team.
NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports.
NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, 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.
NGWSD is jointly organized by the National Girls and Women in Sport Coalition. The Coalition combines the experience and resources of the five premiere girls- and women-serving organizations in the United States: Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, National Women's Law Center, and the Women's Sports Foundation.
Collectively, these organizations have been in existence for over 432 years and have a membership reach of 5.5 million girls and women.
