BYU to Commemorate National Girls and Women in Sports Day

PROVO -- BYU will commemorate National Girls and Women in Sports Day by encouraging young people to participate in athletics during an event at the Indoor Practice Facility on west campus on Saturday, February 12 from 4-6 p.m.

For the second consecutive year, BYU will hold an event to celebrate the day. The event will feature athletes from six different sports teams at BYU. The women's soccer, women's track and field, women's golf, women's volleyball, women's gymnastics and women's basketball teams will all participate in the event.

"We want to highlight women in sports," BYU women's soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood said. "We hope to get the younger kids involved by meeting some of their role models."

Rockwood said she hoped that meeting the athletes would help kids aspire to participate in athletics and increase their fitness.

During the event kids will be able to meet with athletes and get their autographs, all while enjoying booths and exhibits that will be set up to help kids learn more about sports at BYU.

In addition to booths and athletes, visitors can participate in games and contests and even have a chance to play and practice some of the sports.

"It will be a fun atmosphere," Rockwood said. "Kids will have a chance to play basketball, soccer or run track."

BYU assistant women's track coach Doug Padilla said the event will focus on increasing the fitness of kids by giving them an opportunity to get involved in different sports.

"We want to make it fun," Padilla said. "We want them to learn something about each sport, really give them a chance to know the sports and athletes at BYU."

The public is invited to attend the free event. The commemoration begins at 4 p.m and runs until 6 p.m. at the Indoor Practice Facility on the west side of campus, just west of the Smith Fieldhouse.