Written by Ariel V. Germain, Assistant Sports Information Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.howard-bison.com) – February 8 – To honor National Girls and Women in Sport Day, which was officially celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 6, Howard University will celebrate the national event on Saturday, Feb. 9 during HU's contest against Maryland Eastern Shore in Burr Gymnasium.

Howard has invited 150 Girl Scouts, as well as other girl's and women's sports programs around the District of Columbia/Maryland/Virginia area to celebrate NGWSD on Saturday. 

The Department of Athletics will showcase all of our women's athletic programs and female student-athletes throughout the main concourse of Burr, the showcase is entitled 'Women's Sports Fair'.  Each of our team's will have a display of their program.  This year's theme is "Girls in Sports, An Investment in the Future."

NGWSD 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 as a day 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. Since that time, 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.

NGWSD is jointly organized by the National Girls and Women in Sport Coalition. The Coalition combines the experience and resources of four premiere girls- and women-serving organizations in the United States: Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, National Women's Law Center, and the Women's Sports Foundation.

Collectively, these organizations have been in existence for over 432 years and have a membership reach of 5.5 million girls and women.

For more information on Howard University Athletics, visit the official athletics website at www.howard-bison.com.

-HU-