Alabama Athletes Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 1, 2023, is National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
According to the Women's Sports Foundation website, "NGWSD recognizes student-athletes, champion athletes, coaches, administrators and lawmakers committed to providing equitable access to sports for all girls and women."
Multiple female student-athletes from The University of Alabama took to social media this week to celebrate and share what being a female in the sports world means to them.
"I’m thankful to be a part of something bigger than myself," wrote Fouts. "Give yourself the opportunity to be around great people, and have experiences that will transform the person that you will be. Never give up and dream those big dreams. Work hard and love your teammates and yourself. Love the process of “failing” and turning it into learning momentS. Sports is what you do, but it’s not who you are."
"I am grateful for the women who paved the way. The opportunities we have to pursue excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community are only possible because of their legacies," said Alabama women's basketball player Hannah Barber. "As we continue to raise the bar, I am excited for the future or girls and women in sport."
"Being a woman in sports is an honor," said Alabama rowing's Kristina Noje. "It gives a sense of strong camaraderie where we show that we also have the grit and drive! It's a blessing to have been surrounded by so many strong women and to have role models whom I still look up to today."
"National Girls and Women in Sports Day is such an important day for girls of all ages and sports to celebrate because it's a symbol that we as women can do anything we put our minds to," said Alabama gymnastics' Sania Mitchell. "We work hard every single day and can be leaders in the athletic world by inspiring those around us and continuing to break down any stereotypical barriers that tell us what we can and can't do."
"I look up to the players that played before me because they have established such a high standard that the current players need to maintain," said Alabama soccer's Gessica Skorka. "I am thankful for their leadership, which has now allowed me to step into more of a leadership role as an upperclassman. Competing as a female athlete is very enjoyable. In prior years, women's sports (especially soccer) have been overlooked. It is very interesting to see how things can change so quickly over a couple of years."
"One of the reasons I came to Alabama is because of how important and intertwined athletics is at the university," said Alabama volleyball's Kendyl Reaugh. "As a female student athlete I have witnessed that firsthand and I am fully confident that the culture is submitted for the next generation of female athletes."