(02-11-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven Department of Athletics will be celebrating the 23rd National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Saturday at their basketball doubleheader against Franklin Pierce University. The Chargers also recently completed three NGWSD Outreach Sports Clinics at three area youth centers, with plans of two more. In previous years, UNH has hosted NGWSD clinics at Charger Gymnasium, but in an effort to broaden their community engagement, the Chargers took their NGWSD clinics on the road.
Each girl who participated in the Outreach Sports Clinics received a free ticket to Saturday's NGWSD and Take a Kid to the Game Day at Charger Gymnasium. Saturday's game, set to tip-off at 2 p.m., is also Pink Zone Day at Charger Gymnasium; all fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
The Chargers eight women's sports teams participated in three NGWSD Outreach Sports Clinics which started on February 3 at the New Haven Boys & Girls Club. Each of the Chargers women's sport teams taught running, soccer, volleyball and basketball skills to more than 20 girls in attendance. "The girls really enjoyed the clinic today and we are excited about the opportunity to expose these girls to different sports - sports they may have never tried without this clinic," said Socrate Joseph, the sports and fitness director at the New Haven Boys & Girls Club.
The teams traveled to the New Haven YMCA on February 5 for their second Outreach Sports Clinic. Nearly 15 girls took part in basketball, soccer, track, softball and volleyball clinics at the YMCA. Maggie Scanlon, the after school coordinator for the program was thankful to the UNH student-athletes and said, "it was great to have the New Haven student-athletes come in with our girls and expose them to difference sports. It was really good for them to see that physical activity can be fun."
The Chargers hosted a third Outreach Sports Clinics at Washington School in West Haven on February 10. More than 15 girls took part in soccer, lacrosse and running clinics Tuesday afternoon.
UNH will conclude their NGWSD Outreach Sports Clinics at Forest School on Wednesday, February 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 and Savin Rock School on Friday, February 13 from 3:30 to 4:30. As the Chargers continue to broaden their community engagement efforts, additional Outreach Sports Clinics will be offered at a variety of locations throughout the year.
The NGWSD initiative is part of the UNH Department of Athletics broader community engagement efforts, which seeks to engage the surrounding towns and community organizations while providing opportunities for student-athletes and coaches to give back to their communities. For information about UNH's NGWSD Outreach Sports Clinics, this weekend's NGWSD or Take a Kid to the Game Day, please contact Associate Director of Athletics Susan Zawacki by calling (203) 932-7357 or e-mail szawacki@newhaven.edu.
