University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Celebrate Girls and Women in Sports
February 3, 2015 | Field Hockey, Softball, Women's Golf, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Rowing, Women's Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track & Field, Swimming & Diving, Student-Athlete Development
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Athletics celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Sunday by giving kids the opportunity to race and row, putt and practice, aim and experience, all in the confines of Woollen Gym on the UNC campus. Student-athletes from 11 of the 15 Tar Heel women's teams (all except those that were competing on Sunday) taught skills and showed participants – nearly 400 in all – how much fun participating in sports can be.
Tar Heel student-athletes teamed with athletics staff members to organize the event, which required some creativity to show off all of the sports in a gym setting. The rowing team brought in ergs (a.k.a. very advanced rowing machines), swimmers set up dry-land relay races mimicking each stroke, and golfers set up a putting area.
“I had a blast on Sunday,” said one of those golfers, senior Maia Schechter, an American studies/exercise and sport science double major. “It was great to see so many kids that were eager to try out all the different sports that were present. Golf is a sport that a lot of kids haven't gotten the opportunity to play so my teammates and I had a lot of fun showing kids how the game works.”
National Girls and Women in Sports Day is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements of female athletes and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports. UNC's third-annual celebration drew nearly double the previous year's crowd. After the event, many headed next door to Carmichael Arena for the UNC-Boston College women's basketball game.
The kids, both girls and boys, enjoyed the experience, and their parents did, too.
“This is our third year taking our girls, now 8 and 6, to this event,” said Andrew Reynolds, an associate professor in UNC's Department of Political Science. “Each year, they are excited to meet student-athletes from such a wide range of teams, and they love the opportunity to try out all sorts of activities. They don't always get to see women playing such a wide range of sports, and it's empowering for the girls to see athletes with such diverse talents. And the athletes are always so sweet with kids.”
Jodi Ohletz, a runner herself, brought her 7-year-old daughter to the event. “As a mom, I enjoyed seeing my daughter have an authentic connection with the athletes, and learn about all the options available to her in athletics,” she said. “She really enjoyed the one-on-one time and I could tell that it made her feel super special.
“As an athlete myself, I appreciate the opportunity to attend an event like Girls and Women in Sports Day, so I can further expose my daughter to the world of athletics, and help her find the perfect sport for her. Not that I was surprised, but I'm extremely impressed with the commitment the athletes had toward the event. All of the interactions that I observed were genuine and engaging. “
UNC student-athletes are active in the community throughout the year, and many teams offer clinics and autograph sessions at their home games. But this event is unique because it brings together many sports in one setting, presenting young athletes the ability to sample and experience activities they haven't tried before.
“Our girls seem to have new favorites every year,” said Layna Mosley, a professor in UNC's Department of Political Science. She and Reynolds, her husband, brought their daughters and infant son to the event. “This year, Ceci's favorites were field hockey and volleyball, and Tess's was rowing. Once they were worn out from running around, they took their sharpies and UNC signs around to gather autographs — this was lots of fun to watch! We also love the chance to watch student-athletes connect with members of the community, and to chat with them about where they're from and what they're studying at Carolina.”