By Draven Dabrowski
Sports Writer
James Moore Field House was packed on Feb. 21. as the university’s athletic department hosted its National Girls and Women in Sports Day event.
Observed nationwide, National Girls and Women in Sports Day honors the growth and impact of women’s athletics.
“It really captures the rich history of the progress that we’ve made with building women’s sports,” Interim President Sandra Bulmer said.
The university’s event not only highlighted the present success of women’s sports but also reflected on the progress that has shaped opportunities for many.
Music echoed in the gym throughout the morning as young athletes rotated through stations representing different sports.
From basketball shooting drills to learning the beam position in gymnastics, the event gave participants a chance to stay active while learning directly from collegiate student athletes.
Basketball appeared to be a favorite among many of the young participants, including Kenzie Sweeten.
“My favorite has been basketball because I play basketball,” Sweeten said.
The university’s athletes led each station, demonstrating techniques, offering encouragement and stopping for high fives between the stations.
The atmosphere inside the field house felt energetic but welcoming, giving kids the confidence to try something new without hesitation.
For the student athletes, the event was about more than running drills. It was a chance to show young girls that women belong in every space within athletics as players, leaders and role models.
“Seeing them having so much fun and them getting our autographs, it really means a lot to them, and it means so much to me,” gymnast Maria Chronopoulos, a sophomore, said.
Events like this help reinforce the visibility of women’s sports at all levels. With women leading each station and organizing activities, participants were able to see firsthand the leadership roles women hold across athletic programs.
Moments like those, organizers said, are central to the purpose of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
“Some of these kids don’t know that these sports exist, and with this, they have the opportunity to do that,” Kelley Frassinelli, senior woman administrator and head coach of the field hockey team, said.
