SHERMAN, Texas - This weekend, the Austin College athletics department will be celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day with multiple 'Roo women's athletics teams in competition. Today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, with the celebration of female athletes continuing through the week.
The Austin College softball team's games on Friday against Howard Payne and Saturday against Hendrix will be designated as NGWSD events, as will the women's basketball team's away games on Friday at Southwestern, and Texas Lutheran on Saturday. The women's tennis team's road matches against Howard Payne and Hardin-Simmons on Friday and Saturday, respectively, will also be designated as NGWSD events.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day began in 1987 as a special day in our nation's capital to recognize women's sports. The day united premiere organizations and elite female athletes to bring national attention to the promise of girls and women in sports.
In 1987, NGWSD also served as a remembrance of Olympic volleyball player, Flo Hyman, for her athletic achievements and dedication to promoting equality for women's sports; Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986. NGWSD has since evolved into an event to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.
NGWSD is celebrated annually across all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies and other celebratory activities. NGWSD is organized by the members of the National Girls & Women in Sports Day Coalition. Champion women athletes have also contributed to annual NGWSD activities.