This Wednesday, Bowling Green held their inaugural National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

While this is the 28th annual celebration, this is the first year that the University has hosted the event. This event recognized the different women’s athletic teams and gave them the opportunity to meet with other women leaders. The importance of the event was evident by the presence of President Mary Ellen Mazey, Athletic Director Chris Kingston and Senior Associate Director for Administration and Athletics Lesley Irvine.

Irvine, who has been an athlete, coach, and now Senior Associate Director for Administration and Athletics at Bowling Green helped host the event. The meaning for this event is to “celebrate the past, recognize current sports achievements and celebrate women towards equality and access for women in sports,” said Irvine.

The University athletic department today is made up of 18 percent female head coaches, which is significantly higher than other Mid American Conference schools.

Women’s athletics have been evident since the 1930s and has had an impact on this campus ever since.

“It has been remarkable, think about the number of years women’s sports have been on this campus,” Mazey said.

The campus not only has great women leaders on campus, but role models as well.

“We have great women role models here, and that is what we want you to be, the future is in your hands,” Mazey said. “To be great student athletes while you are here, and when you leave we want you to go on and do wonderful things.”

Bowling Green women’s teams in attendance included of softball, cross country, track, golf, soccer, swimming, diving and volleyball. Gymnastics was in practice, and basketball was hosting a game against Central Michigan.