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DETROIT (2/13/2013) -- The smiles and laughter of more than 120 children were on full display this past weekend as the University of Detroit Mercy hosted its annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day in Calihan Hall on Saturday. The event was held prior to the Titan women's basketball game against Valparaiso.

“We have hosted National Girls & Women in Sports Day for five years now and I believe it is one of the best events that we have here at the University,” said Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Teri Kromrei. “All the kids that participate have a great time learning about not only basketball or soccer, but new sports like lacrosse and fencing, sports that they have probably never seen before and our student-athletes do a great job of interacting with all the children.”

The day saw the children learn about the sports of basketball, soccer, softball, track and field, fencing, lacrosse, and golf as well dancing and cheer.

The children, ages, 6-13, rotated around the sports stations and with a large number of Titan female student-athletes on hand, each group was given lessons on a certain aspect of the sport, from sliding in softball, putting in golf and ball handling in basketball.  Members of the Detroit strength and conditioning staff were also on hand to talk about the value of nutrition and exercise in their life.

“It's great,” said Titan junior golfer Lindsey Lammers. “Just having all these young ladies out here teaching the game and it's nice to be surrounded by girls who are interested in sports.”

After the children had a chance to visit each of the stations, everyone got together for lunch with the student-athletes before taking in the exciting Titan women's basketball game, a contest that saw Detroit come back from 12 points down to win.

“To have the girls come out and have the day to just play and go to a basketball game, it is a huge because not many schools get to do this for girls,” added senior lacrosse player Megan Callahan.

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 devoted to acknowledging the past accomplishments of female athletes and recognizing current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.

“It has given me a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't have had if I was not an athlete,” said freshman soccer player Jennifer Borawski. “It has taught me how to manage school and time, and to motivate people and just get out and experience a whole new life that I don't think I would have had.”

Since its inception, NGWSD has been celebrated annually in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements of female athletes and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports. NGWSD is organized by the members of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day Coalition. Women's Sports Foundation Founder Billie Jean King and Past Women's Sports Foundation Presidents Donna de Varona, Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Jessica Mendoza, Aimee Mullins and Dominique Dawes are among the champion women athletes that have contributed to the annual NGWSD activities alongside the Coalition organizations. For more information, please visit www.NGWSDCentral.com.