Sports - Women in Sports celebration to be held at Skidmore

This year’s events will include clinics in various sports, a luncheon with Thoroughbred student-athletes, admission to Skidmore home sporting events, and keynote address from celebrated Colon Cancer spokeswoman Molly McMaster.

“The important thing to remember is the history of women in athletics,” said head softball coach Kelly Schwarz, a member of the NGWSD planning committee. “There has been tremendous growth since the enactment of Title IX, and we want to make sure girls continue to get exposed to sports as young as possible.”

Originating over 20 years ago, NGWSD began as a day of remembrance to honor the athletic achievements of Olympic athlete Flo Hyman. Since Hyman’s untimely death in 1986 from Marfan’s Syndrome, the event has grown into a nationwide celebration focused on acknowledging the past while also recognizing current sport achievements in women’s athletics.

A large portion of NGWSD events are designed to encourage female sport participation, highlighting the many positive influences of athletics.

“We hope participants get exposed to new and different sports (through the clinics), and realize there is more to sports than just athletics,” said Schwarz.

The day’s events at Skidmore are designed to do just that, starting with a series of sport clinics at 10 a.m. in field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The clinics are open to girls in grades 3 through 6, and will be led by current Thoroughbred student-athletes.

The morning clinics will be followed by a luncheon for clinic participants complete with face painting, free give-a-ways, and a chance to meet the Thoroughbred mascot.

A full schedule of Skidmore athletic events will highlight the afternoon for fans of all ages. The Thoroughbred women’s swimming and diving team dives into competition at 1 p.m. in the Skidmore Invitational, followed by a basketball doubleheader with the women and men’s teams battling league rival St. Lawrence at 2-4p.m., respectively.

Skidmore’s NGWSD celebration will culminate with a keynote address by celebrated ice hockey player and colon cancer spokeswoman Molly McMaster. A resident of Wilton, McMaster has made an impact on local and national levels by sharing her personal struggle with colon cancer and currently heads several non-profit organizations aimed at educating young people about colon cancer in unique, out-of-the-box ways.

McMaster’s story of struggle and triumph after being diagnosed with colon cancer at the young age of 23 is one of determination and ingenuity. Following eight months of chemotherapy to overcome the disease, she launched a national campaign to share her story showing others that cancer does not discriminate and can happen to anyone.

In addition to many entrepreneurial accomplishments, McMaster has combined her passion for raising colon cancer awareness with her love of ice hockey. In 2006, she played for each of the 14 professional ice hockey teams in the United Hockey League (UHL) as part of the “UHL Cross-Checks Colon Cancer” campaign.

NGWSD affords an opportunity for girls and women to be celebrated within sports, regardless of age or level of play. Join Skidmore College in celebration of the event next Saturday, Feb. 9.

For more information on the day’s events or for on-line registration, go to www.skidmore.edu/athletics.