National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Written by Grace Decker

Feb. 5 is National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, this day serves to highlight the accomplishments of women in the sports industry. The origin of NGWSD is a remembrance day for volleyball player and activist Flo Hyman who passed away in 1986.

From working on-air broadcasting at Beaver Stadium, making financial decisions for a major sports team, to being an Olympic gymnast, women have found success in various careers.

The Association of Women in Sports Media at The Pennsylvania State University supports the community of college aged women with interests in sports. “Since 2013, AWSM Penn State has provided a safe space for women interested in sports media to learn, grow, and thrive. The club has grown to a few girls in a small meeting room to over 350 members filling the Carnegie Cinema. I am so thankful for the space AWSM provides for me and hundreds of other Penn State women,” AWSM Vice President Alli Fritz said.

Penn State celebrated its women’s athletic teams and women media members throughout the day with several posts on social media. 

“AWSM has inspired my passion for broadcast journalism because they bring in so many inspiring women in the field who have also had a passion for sports broadcast. It shows me that things can happen when you put in the work and have a supportive family by your side,” freshman member Kennedy Rivers said.

  The Bryce Jordan Center, home to Penn State women’s basketball, celebrated NGWSD with free t-shirts for fans in attendance, including some of our members, for the Lady Lions’ contest against Washington. AWSM at Penn State acknowledges the dedication of women across the globe leading a future for girls and women.