National Girls & Women in Sports Day Celebrated by Wittenberg Student-Athletes

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – 2016 marked the 30^th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). While the organization is committed to not only advancing women's issues, their efforts are focused on honoring athletes that have overcome barriers, coaches who challenge their teams, and most importantly, girls who have faith in their own potential and all those who continue to use the power of example to inspire greatness.

In the past, Wittenberg Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has hosted NGWSD through a community outreach event; however, the attendance was very inconsistent from year to year.  Lacrosse student-athlete Sara Ellis (Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan/Grosse Pointe South), assistant softball coach Nikki Miller, and field hockey student-athlete Paige Vanerstrom (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania/North Allegheny) took it upon themselves to spearhead the project  and take the event into a whole new direction.

"This year for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we really wanted to focus on highlighting all the great female sports teams we have at Wittenberg," said Miller. "The SAAC executive board, specifically Paige Vanerstrom and Sara Ellis, had the great idea to incorporate the 'Play like a Girl' theme.

The stereotype-crushing "Like a Girl" campaign, from the brand Always, aims to positively empower women through its creative advertisements. Wittenberg took the campaign a step further, tying in the theme to their NGWSD video.

"We were originally inspired by the "Like a Girl" Campaign by Always, but wanted to emphasize the importance of athletics in girls' lives," said Vanerstorm.  "As a four year competitor, I am extremely grateful to have worn the Wittenberg uniform, and represented the school on and off the athletic field.  I hope that this video is a positive indicator of how special and honored we are to be members of the Wittenberg University athletic community."

While NGWSD was celebrated February 3, many different events take place throughout the entire month of February.  These new bold and progressive projects keep the conversation going for women.  "Today's society has really demoted the image of strong, confident girls in sports and the more steps Wittenberg can take to break those stereotypes, the more lives we can change forever, "said sophomore volleyball player Maddie Fischer (Minerva, Ohio/Minerva).

"I think the project was really cool because it allowed those female student-athletes in the video to reflect back on why they played sports and how much their sport has given them and made them who they are today," said Miller. "Throughout the process, the teams were very excited and helpful in filming. Often they spent up to an hour per team to capture different angles and attempt various ideas. It was very fun to share more time with individuals of all grades and teams," added Vanerstorm.

 Written By: Kuris Duggan 

This national day has been proclaimed by Congress every year since 1987, and is honored annually in the month of February. For 30 years, NGWSD has empowered women and girls to get moving, embrace physical activity and push past their limits both in sports and in life. It recognizes the progress of girls and women in sports, and the benefits that sport and fitness activities can bring to the lives of all girls and women. "Leading the Way" is the national theme for this year's day and serves to acknowledge the importance of sport participation for women and girls.