Hawks Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day

 The Hartford Department of Athletics held its fifth annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) clinic on Sunday, February 13, prior to the women’s basketball game against Boston University. More than 90 youth from as far away as Waterbury participated. 

During the annual event, which is held by universities across the country, participants took part in multiple sport stations, including basketball, soccer, golf, fitness and dynamic warm-up. 

Prior to the sports stations, the Hawks honored nine of their student-athletes based on criteria outlined by the 2011 NGWSD theme of mentoring. The student-athlete honorees included Mary Silvia (women’s basketball), Maggie Sabatino (women’s tennis), Emily Linn (women’s golf), Shannon Simpkins (softball), Marisa Poleto (women’s cross country), Carolyn Grime(women’s track and field), Lindsay Ford (volleyball), Christiana Lang (women’s soccer) and Jaimie Bick (cheerleading). 

Another highlight from the 2010 NGWSD event was a key note address from women’s softball student-athlete Shannon Simpkins. “Being a mentor is so much more than the definition describes," Simpkins says.  "Being a mentor is being someone who improves a life, brightens a day, gives advice, and most importantly leads by example. Mentors encourage success and show support during tough times. Being a mentor can happen without you knowing it. You never know when someone is looking up to you.  This is why it is important to always strive to be the best person you can possibly be.”

Since its inception in 1987, National Girls and Women in Sports Day has become the premier occasion to celebrate the participation, success, and accomplishments of girls and women athletes. What started in 1987 as a single event in Washington, D.C,. to honor Olympic volleyball star Flo Hyman has grown into a nationwide celebration across all 50 states. 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.

Despite the stunning advances made in the 39 years since Title IX was enacted, high school girls still receive 1.3 million fewer participation opportunities than do boys, and evidence suggests that the money spent on girls' sports programs lags significantly behind the money spent on boys' programs. “I feel that it is crucial for female athletes to hear about the struggles of the past so that they can appreciate the opportunities they have now,” said Alex Morley, Director of Academic Services and the coordinator of the annual NGWSD event.