CMU athletes to introduce Michigan girls to sports
Jennifer Beck Nottingham said a great way to get girls involved in sports is for them to head out Saturday to the Student Activity Center.
That's when the National Girls and Women in Sports Day will take place at 10 a.m. The event is open to girls ages 8-13. They will get a chance to learn about field hockey, volleyball and soccer from CMU coaches and players.
The girls are encouraged to bring a mentor.
"It's a fun-filled day for our girls who participate," said Beck Nottingham, the associate director of programs at University Recreation. "We usually get a great turnout, and it's a positive experience, with a lot of one-on-one attention."
The event will be spread around the SAC, with soccer in the large sports forum, volleyball in the small forum, field hockey in the Rose Arena turf room and a presentation from Lisa Donahue-Smith. The counselor will talk about body image, self-esteem, a positive mental attitude and how to keep a healthy body.
Women's soccer coach Tony DiTucci said 8-12 of his players will attend, as will his assistant coaches.
"Basically, it's an introduction to different skills, so that they can gain some familiarity in sports and some confidence in doing some of the things players do in a game," he said. "We try to promote awareness of strong role models, which is a part of why Kate (Dylag) and Kim (Warner), our two assistant coaches, participate. We like the girls to be able to see them in a position of leadership, and see the players in the position of role models."
While most girls have played some soccer or volleyball before, field hockey usually is a new experience. That is one of the aspects that coach Cristy Freese enjoys.
"It's a great time for the young girls," Freese said. "I think they enjoy being able to work with collegiate athletes. The kids get introduced to a stick and a ball, and we try to introduce them to the sport."
Spots still are available for Saturday, and Nottingham said walk-ins will be accepted. The cost is $15, which includes the clinics, a T-shirt, lunch, tickets to the women's basketball game against Buffalo on Feb. 10, a chance to win tickets to a summer clinic at CMU and a chance to win a trip to a day camp at Central.
This will be the 20th year the event has taken place at Central.
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