Wittenberg Hosts Sports Expo For National Girls And Women In Sports Day

Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University Department of Athletics will host a day-long celebration of National Girls And Women In Sports Day (NGWSD), starting at noon Saturday, Jan. 30, in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Center Gymnasium. 

The centerpiece of the event is the annual sports expo, in which all 12 Wittenberg women's varsity athletics teams and several club sports are represented by team members and coaches, who will provide the hundreds of invited children with camp information, slideshows and sports demonstrations. In addition, a local sports nutritionist, an orthopedic specialist and a certified athletic trainer, along with professional female football player Andrea Judy, will be on hand to share their experiences working in athletics-related careers.

The highlight of the sports expo takes place at 2 p.m. in the HPER Center Pam Evans Smith Arena, where the Tiger women's basketball team will square off with arch-rival Ohio Wesleyan University. Throughout the game, items will be raffled. Also, a relay is scheduled to take place at halftime.

Following the game, Wittenberg women's basketball will be available for a meet and greet and autograph session in the HPER Center Gymnasium. The second annual Chili Cook-Off will take place simultaneously in the same location. Participants can enjoy bottomless bowls of homemade chili prepared by mothers of Wittenberg student-athletes and members of student organizations.

Sponsorships are available through monetary or merchandise donations. Contact Assistant Director of the Wittenberg Fund Chelsea White at (937) 327-7428 before Jan. 15, 2010, to learn more about the opportunities available.

The cost to attend the entire event is just $5 for children under age 18, $7 for adults and $2 for Wittenberg students (admittance to expo and Chili Cook-Off - game is free with ID). All proceeds will go directly to support Wittenberg University's varsity women's athletics teams, including uniforms, travel costs and equipment.

NGWSD began in 1987 to honor former Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. Since its inception, 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.

Considering Wittenberg's success in intercollegiate women's athletics and its history of support for female participation in recreational activities, it is fitting that the university is celebrating NGWSD. Numerous pioneers in the field of collegiate women's athletics, most notably Betty Dillahunt, class of 1946, have played and/or coached at Wittenberg. Tiger teams have achieved a great deal on the field of play, including three straight NCAA Division III semifinal appearances by the volleyball team (2005, 2006 and 2007) and NCAA Division III Round of 16 finishes for the women's basketball and women's soccer teams in the last seven years as well.

"NGWSD is a wonderful way to celebrate female participation in sports and recreational activities and to promote healthy lifestyles," said Wittenberg Women's Basketball Head Coach Sarah Jurewicz. "We look forward to sharing with the Springfield community the way athletics can positively impact young peoples' lives.

"Hopefully, exposure to these athletics activities and athletics professions will help them make recreational activities a significant part of their adult lives."

Written by: Ryan Maurer
Photos by: Erin Pence

001-10