Soccer star Carla Overbeck to headline Celebration of Women and Girls in Sports
Skidmore College will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9 and 10, with an exciting lineup of activities for athletes and fans of all ages. Carla Overbeck, National Soccer Hall of Fame member, captain of both the 1996 gold-medal winning U.S. Women's Olympic Soccer Team and the 1999 Women's World Cup-winning soccer team, will be keynote speaker for the event.
Skidmore's observance features an array of free activities for girls of all ages, including the following:
Panel discussion on opportunities that arise through sports, 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the Dance Theater.
Admission to the Skidmore-RPI women's basketball game, 6 p.m. Feb. 9, Sports Center Gymnasium.
Keynote speech by Overbeck, 8:15 p.m. Feb. 9, Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, an assortment of sports clinics - soccer, softball, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball - will be available to girls in grades three through six beginning at 8:45 a.m. in the Sports Center Gymnasium.
Elementary school pupils are welcome to join Skidmore student-athletes for lunch on campus at noon Feb. 10 in the Dance Studio Gymnasium.
Admission to the Skidmore-Vassar women's basketball game at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Sports Center Gymnasium.
NGWSD, now in its 21st year, is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports.
NGWSD began in 1987 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. 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.
The 2007 national observance is scheduled for Feb. 7. Skidmore's celebration is scheduled Feb. 9 and 10 to provide opportunities for a broad range of activities, including the chance to attend two home women's basketball games. To read more about the national observance, visit www.aahperd.org/ngwsdcentral.
Skidmore's events are open to the public. Pre-registration for the clinics and the lunch with athletes is required. For more information, please contact Darren Bennett, women's basketball coach, 518-580-5363, or Kelly Schwarz, softball coach, 518-580-5394.
Click here for more information about National Girls and Women in Sport Day.