ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Athletic Department hosted their third annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day Event this past Sunday morning.
 
Throughout the day, girls from ages five to 12 rotated through demonstrations and activity from a variety of sports, including basketball, track and field, softball, lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey, soccer, ice hockey, and flag football. These "stations" were run by current Neumann University student-athletes as well as Knights coaches.
 
Spearheading this event is Neumann's softball coach and SAAC Advisor, Shannon Padula. "Three years ago, I decided I wanted to host a Girls and Women in Sports event here at Neumann - without question everyone in our athletic department and SAAC jumped in to help me and now we just had our 3rd annual event, and it keeps growing! It's important to highlight our female sports but also empower the next generation of female athletes! We exposed them to 11 different sports that they all got to try! Our Neumann student-athletes are the best and they volunteer their time to do this event every year! I'm excited for this event to keep growing year after year!"
 
In addition to Coach Padula's influence, the Knights themselves have made major contributions to this endeavor. Women's Lacrosse player, Maggie Miller noted, "I think it's good for the girls to come out at an early age and try different sports, see what they may like and want to do later on". Softball's Kayla Naylor said simply, "Empowered girls today create a better tomorrow". Cara Cimo from the Neumann Women's Soccer team expanded on the impact this event has. "Girls in Sports Day was a special event that highlighted the importance of girls in sports, and the need to instill confidence in female athletes at a young age. We had a successful turnout this year, and overall it was a really fun event to be a part of!"
 
National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which is officially celebrated on February 4^th, is an annual observance that celebrates the accomplishments of female athletes, coaches, and leaders while promoting the importance of equal access and opportunities in sports. Established in 1987, this day coincides with the anniversary of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in athletics. National Girls and Women in Sports Day serves as a reminder of the progress made in women's sports and the ongoing challenges that still exist.