• National Girls & Women in Sports Day Website
February 7th marks the 38th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day™ (NGWSD).
Powered by Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), NGWSD draws national attention to the importance of equal opportunities in sport for girls and women. It’s a celebration and inspiration for girls across the country to unlock their limitless potential through sport.
Founded in 1987, NGWSD began as a special day to recognize women’s sports. Organizations and female athletes united to bring national attention of girls and women in sports. The event has evolved to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes and the positive influence of sports participation. Backing the NGWSD is the Women’s Sports Foundation. The organization helps to expand opportunities for girls and women, of all backgrounds, in sports through research, advocacy, impact and a wide variety of collaborative partnerships. Many prominent female athletes are involved with the foundation.
The OVC established women’s championships in the sports of basketball, tennis and track in 1977 with cross country and volleyball added over the next four years. Those sports were initially governed by the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), but the overall strength of women's programs in the league was demonstrated by the automatic bids the OVC instantly received when the NCAA became the governing body in 1982. The conference added women’s golf and softball in 1994, women’s soccer in 1998 and beach volleyball in 2020.
During the 2022-23 year the OVC celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, which was signed into law on June 23, 1972, and stated “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity.”
The Ohio Valley Conference recognizes NGWSD and those who help to support our female student-athletes, coaches, administrators and lead us to a bright future.