Current and prospective athetes gather for skills challenges, athletic drills
CU would not allow Feb. 10 to go uncelebrated. The U.S. Congress chartered National Girls and Women in Sport Day in 1986 to honor female athletic achievement and recognize the importance of sport and fitness participation for all girls and women.
For the second year in a row, the CU Athletic Department recognized the occasion by inviting kids eighth grade and younger to participate in festivities held at the Coors Events Center.
Lindsay Lew, associate director of sports information, helped plan the event.
“I thought it sounded like a great idea to give an opportunity for all of our different (sports teams) to get in front of people they maybe would not usually see … and let kids have the chance to do all these fun things,” she said.
The event started with a skills challenge held on the concourse of the Coors Events Center. Student athletes and coaches from women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, cheerleading, track and field and tennis guided participants through various athletic drills.
“I love little kids, so it was really fun being able to do the drills that we did with them,” said Jess Quador, a freshman on the women’s soccer team.
Following the skills challenge, student-athletes and coaches signed autographs for the participants.
“I would say the most important thing about an event like this is to let young girls know how much there is to offer in athletics,” said Lindsay Senger, a junior and a member of the golf team.
Ralphie, CU’s live, female buffalo mascot, also made an appearance at the event. The afternoon concluded with an opportunity for participants and their families to watch the women’s basketball team take on Nebraska.
“It is great for the basketball team to get the extra support,” Lew said.
Participant Hannah Crites, of Denver, attended her first CU basketball game. “I am glad I came out here today because I had a lot of fun,” the 11-year-old said. “It was cool getting autographs, and the athletes really helped me out because I am going to start playing volleyball in the spring.”
The popularity of the event increased significantly from last year, Lew said.
“We tried really hard to get the word out, and the turnout was great. I think we doubled our attendance from last year,” she said. “Hopefully people had a good time and will want to come back.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Corey Jones at corey.jones@thecampuspress.com.
