by Michael Sadowski
Pocono Record Writer

Registration Information

When Carey J. Snyder wanted to play sports as a girl, she had to take it upon herself to organize them since girls' athletic leagues were scarce.

Women's athletics have come a long way since Snyder, the associate director of athletics at East Stroudsburg University, grew up in Florida. Just about every town has softball or basketball leagues that are open to girls.

But there is still ground to cover, which is why ESU is hosting its second annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day event Saturday at Koehler Fieldhouse on Smith Street.

"This is really an opportunity to engage the community on our campus," Snyder said. "To get young girls excited about playing sports."

The free event is open to all girls ages 7 to 12. It starts at 8:30 a.m. and exposes the girls to five different sports — softball, field hockey, track and field, basketball and soccer.

Each sport is set up at a different station with volunteers from ESU's women's sports teams presiding over each area to teach the girls the basics of their sport.

After the clinic, the participating girls are invited to stay at the field house to watch the ESU women's basketball team. The Warriors play Cheyney at 1 p.m. The men's game vs. Chenyey follows at 3 p.m.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day started in 1987 and is now celebrated on varying dates with similar events throughout the country. This is the only event in the Poconos.

About 85 girls came out to the event last year and Snyder said she's hoping to grow the event so that even more attend this year.

The more girls that come, she said, the better chance there is of those girls getting involved with sports. Snyder said sports for girls could be in danger with school districts cutting back on physical education classes.

"We hope this sparks some interest," she said. "Last year, the girls were so excited to come out to the college. They wanted to know when we were going to have another one. I know everyone involved felt really good about it."

Even though local girls do have access to basketball, soccer and softball leagues, the clinic is a way to expose them to other sports that don't have organized local leagues but are available when the girls reach high school.

"These are sports they might not get the chance to experience," Snyder said.

The clinic is free, but parents interested in signing up their daughters are asked to register for the event either online at www.esuwarriors.com or by stopping into the athletic office in Koehler Fieldhouse at ESU.


IF YOU GO

What: East Stroudsburg University National Girls and Women in Sports Day
When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: Koehler Fieldhouse
Who: Open to all girls ages 7 to 12. The girls will be introduced to five different sports by members of the ESU sports community.
How much?: The event is free, but all participants are asked to sign up online at www.esuwarriors.com or by registering in-person at the ESU athletic offices at Koehler Fieldhouse. All participating girls will receive free admission to the ESU women's basketball game vs. Cheyney following the clinic at 1 p.m.
Equipment: All girls are asked to wear appropriate athletic clothing and bring a bottle of water.