Thursday is National Girls & Women in Sports Day
Thursday marks the 30th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports.
National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) began in 1987 as a special day in our nation’s capital to recognize women’s sports. 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.
This year’s NGWSD theme, Leading the Way, is a nod to all those individuals and organizations who are on the front line for girls and women in sports: the organizations committed to advancing women’s issues, athletes who have overcome barriers, coaches who challenge their teams to succeed, girls who have faith in their own potential and all those who continue to use the power of example to inspire greatness.
NGWSD states that when girls participate in sports, they develop the leadership skills to excel in school, at home and in their communities. The courage, confidence and character gained through physical activity are the very tools girls need to become the strong leaders of tomorrow.
In celebration of NGWSD, there will be free admission to the UTEP’s women’s basketball team Thursday night. Conference USA leader UTEP will open up a two-game homestand to host to FIU beginning at 7:05 p.m.
Along with the free admission, there will be a post-game autograph session as well with all the Miner women’s athletic teams on the concourse levels of the Don Haskins Center
The Miners have won 12 straight games at home, which is the second-longest home winning streak in program history.
UTEP is also on the cusp of its notching fourth 20+ win season in five years and sixth overall in program history. All have been under head coach Keitha Adams.
UTEP’s softball team is also celebrating NGWSD. The Miners will begin the 2016 season at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex, as the Miners will host Incarnate Word in a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m., while both games are free in conjunction National Girls and Women in Sport Day.
Opening day will commence at home for the first time since the 2012 season when the Miners defeated Santa Clara 11-3 (five innings) on Feb. 9, 2012.
One player to lookout for is Senior Kawehiokalani Netane. She was named 2016 Preseason All-Conference USA after producing a breakout junior season in 2015. Netane earned a spot on the All-C-USA first team after establishing career highs down the stat line. The native of Orlando, Fla., set career bests in home runs (eight), RBI (32), hits (56), doubles (10) and triples (four).
