National Girls & Women In Sports Day

(Photo credit from SUNY Cortland)

The National Girls & Women In Sports Day is a nation wide convention consisting of thousands of female athletes including sports educators, coaches, athletic directors, students, and parents participating in a series of events. This year marked the 26^th annual celebration of the NGWSD and to honor this years convention, the theme was announced, “Title IX at 40: In it for the Long Run.”

In 1986, a woman by the name of Flo Hyman passed away from Marfan’s Syndrome while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Hyman was a former Olympic volleyball player and she was a huge advocate for women’s equality rights. NGWSD began the year after she passed away, in 1987 to remember Hyman for her athletic achievements and for her hard work and determination to assure equality in women’s sports was achieved. In honor of Flo Hyman, NGWSD has developed a day to recognize her accomplishments on the court, her passion for the love of the game and athletics, her influence on women participating in athletics, and lastly, her ongoing fight to attain equality and access for women in sports.

Here at SUNY Cortland, our athletic programs proudly take part in NGWSD. For the past three years I have been at Cortland, my teammates and I have demonstrated respect for the female athletes in our community by volunteering our time to work with them and motivate them to become better people and better athletes. We interact with the girls through several activities and inspire them by being proper role models. SUNY Cortland does a great job hosting Girl’s Day Out and the student-athletes do a great job tying the community together through a common interest.

To promote women’s equality and participation in athletics, anyone has the ability to register an activity of their choice online that will be advertised, for others in the community to partake in. Those interested can submit their activity by going to the Events link on NGWSD website.