University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: February 2, 2006

By JESSICA KELTZ
Reporter Contributor

With the theme of "Count Me In," UB plans to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day beginning Saturday with events designed for both the university community and the community at large, including a sports clinic, an awards ceremony and a panel discussion.

"We were one of the first schools to have a really large celebration. I think it's neat to know that years later, it's still going on and there's still support for it," said Laura Barnum, associate athletic director for internal operations and senior women's administrator. Barnum spoke at UB's National Girls and Women in Sports Day event in 1993 when she was a senior at UB and a member of the women's volleyball team.

This year's celebration is the 16th at UB and the 20th nationally. Although keynote speakers in the past have included such big-name athletes as Dominique Dawes and Sheryl Swoopes, this year, in keeping with the theme, UB is bringing in Lindsay Nielsen of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the first female below-the-knee amputee to complete the Iron Man Triathlon.

"Including a challenged athlete in our mix kind of ties into the theme of everybody can participate," said Dawn Reed, director of women's marketing and special projects. Reed added that the day is more about raising awareness and broadening participation in women's sports than about honoring athletic achievement.

The ceremony will include speeches by student-athletes, a video and the presentation of the UB Recognition Award honoring an individual who has a history of supporting women's athletics. This year's recipient is Judith Adams-Volpe, director of university and external relations for the UB Libraries, former chair of the Intercollegiate Athletics Board (IAB) and avid UB sports fan. Adams-Volpe provides funding for the IAB Student Athlete Leadership Award.

Barnum said she thinks her experience as a student speaker continues to benefit the annual ceremony.

"I was very nervous, so I know what these student-athlete speakers go through as they prepare for that day," she said. "I try to make them feel at ease."

In addition to the awards ceremony, scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday in the Student Union Theater, North Campus, Reed said UB also will hold a sports clinic and a panel discussion.

The All-Youth Multi-Sports Clinic will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Triple Gym in Alumni Arena, North Campus. Varsity and club athletes, as well as coaches, will help local kids hone their sports skills. The $5 cost includes pizza and a ticket to that night's men's basketball game at 7 p.m. against Miami (OH).

"Count Me In: Current Perspectives on Female Health, Research and Performance," a panel discussion featuring UB staff members, is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Wednesday in the Center for the Arts. Andrea Greenwood, assistant director of counseling; Janice Cochran, certified dietician/nutritionist coordinator; and Sue Rocque, head athletic trainer, are scheduled to speak. Reed said a fourth speaker may be added to the panel. The event also will include an expo featuring information tables from local organizations, and participants will receive a free ticket to the women's basketball team game against Central Michigan at 7 p.m. that day in Alumni Arena.

"That is one event that always ends up being great conversation and an exchange of ideas. It gets people talking," Reed said, noting that it was added to the program three years ago as a way of engaging faculty and staff, and encouraging high school teachers to attend.

Barnum and Reed said this year's day is particularly significant because a change in the Supreme Court lineup could affect the future of Title IX.

"The reason the event was created was to recognize women's participation in sports and the opportunity women have because of Title IX," Barnum said, adding that Title IX actually covers many aspects of gender equity in education, although athletics has drawn the headlines in recent years.

"The real issue with Title IX athletics is ensuring that women get scholarships to go to school," she added.