To mark the 19th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Wednesday, UB is sponsoring a weeklong series of activities including theatrical performances, NCAA basketball games, a panel discussion, and a youth sports clinic.
This year's theme, "More Than a Game," recognizes the importance of sports in areas besides the playing fields, event organizers said.
The celebration kicks off Monday at 5 p.m. at the Center for the Arts with a free hour-long program featuring student athlete speakers, a video highlighting UB's female athletes, an award presentation and theatrical performances and monologues.
Dawn Reed, the director of women's marketing and special projects for UB athletics, said the addition of theatrical performances is something new.
"This year we decided to include theatrical performances to try to open the event up to a broader audience," Reed said. "In the past we've had keynote speakers such as Dominique Dawes, but our student athletes see a lot of speakers throughout the year so we thought it might be fun to try something different."
In what is now the 15th celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day at UB, the Student Association and the Women and Gender Institute are sponsoring the event along with UB athletics.
Laura Barnum, the associate athletic director for internal operations, said she stresses UB's events are open for everyone.
"This isn't only for competitive women athletes, it's for everyone from a grandmother mall-walking to little girls in soccer," Barnum said. "And the events aren't just for women. Men have mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers who have been impacted by Title IX."
A sometimes-controversial law passed in 1972, Title IX was created to promote equality between the sexes in academics and athletics. Opponents of the law say it often diverts funds away from male sports programs, while supporters say it's necessary to lessen the disparity between men and women's programs.
Despite the controversy surrounding Title IX, women's participation in sports is rising.
"The level of women's involvement has increased and things now are better than they used to be," Barnum said. "When I grew up the only way into my school's weight room was through the boys' locker room. I'm sure that's changed, but it's important that today's youth don't take these things for granted."
After the women's basketball team hosts Western Michigan Monday night at Alumni Arena, the celebration continues Wednesday at 8 a.m. in 120 Clemens Hall, where the Women and Gender Institute is sponsoring a panel discussion and breakfast.
Five panel members will discuss how physical activity benefits women and girls. The event is free and open to students, faculty, staff and the community.
Also, throughout the week, athletes from both men's and women's teams will be visiting local schools to talk to students about the benefits of sports.
"At UB our athletes have higher GPAs and graduation rates than average students," Reed said. "Sports help teach time management, leadership skills and promote self esteem."
In addition to visiting schools, athletes from all men's and women's varsity and club sports will be holding a youth sports clinic on Saturday at 10 a.m. It is open to boys and girls from ages five to 15 who pre-register online or by mail for $5.
With such a wide range of events, Reed said the one message she hopes people take away from this week is that they are celebrating opportunity.
"This isn't just about celebrating women's achievements in sports, it's about recognizing the life skills, personal development and opportunities that come from participating," Reed said. "It's about celebrating the opportunity to participate."
