Feb. 2, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. -

Feb. 2, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. -

National Girls And Women In Sports Day Photo Gallery

The Michigan State Athletics Department participated in a nationwide celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Thursday, Feb. 1 when the Michigan State women's basketball team hosted Penn State at the Breslin Center. Members of many Spartan women's athletic teams were present for the event, while some teams signed autographs and held mini-clinics on the concourse level prior to the basketball game. At halftime, all of the Spartan teams were honored with a video presentation, while representatives from various teams addressed the crowd.

"It was an outstanding evening for MSU Athletics as our 13 women's sports programs were all involved and interacted with Spartan fans on the concourse prior to the women's basketball game," Senior Associate Director of Athletics/SWA Shelley Appelbaum said. "Michigan State University continues to enjoy participating in National Girls and Women in Sports Day - especially with this being the 20th anniversary of this meaningful nationwide event that empowers and celebrates girls and women who participate and embrace the value of sport in their respective lives."

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 the six premier girls- and women-serving organizations in the United States: Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, National Women's Law Center, the Women's Sports Foundation, and the YWCA USA.