UE Athletics teams up with Fifth Third for National Girls and Women in Sports Day Event

Close to 100 kids from Evansville were in attendance

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In a community event that served close to 100 members of the Evansville community, the University of Evansville Athletics Department teamed up with Fifth Third Bank to hold a National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration on Saturday.

“Our inaugural UE National Girls and Women is Sports Day was a huge success,” UE Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried exclaimed.  “This special day would not have been possible without the support of Fifth Third Bank. A big thank you to Fifth Third Bank, the NGWSD Committee, our female student-athletes, and all the participants. We look forward to continuing this event in the future.”

A full afternoon was on the docket for the local youth who numbered close to 100 in attendance.  Female Purple Aces student-athletes took part in a clinic that saw the attendees go from station to station as to experience multiple facets of sports.  Participants played softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf and track while spending time with some of UE’s Athletic Trainers to learn about those operations.

“This event brought together some of the most important values that Fifth Third Bank stands for – community, education and mentorship,” John Raisor of Fifth Third Bank said.  “We were pleased to team up with the University of Evansville to put on an unforgettable event that impacted so many within the Evansville community.”

Aces Spirit Squad members got things started, spending time with the participants to teach them a few cheers before everyone split into smaller groups.  After moving through all stations of the clinic, the attendees enjoyed a meal that was made possible by Fifth Third Bank before attending the UE women’s basketball game inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse.  Families of the clinic participants joined them for the basketball game, adding over 300 to the crowd.

The reach of the day’s events was not limited to members of the local community.  Prior to the clinic, a luncheon for UE’s 120 female student-athletes, female sport coaches and female administrators and staff took place.  Aces Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Operations Sarah Solinsky moderated a panel with women’s sports pioneer Lois Patton and former women’s basketball player Kiya (Griffin) Lander.

Going forward, the department has aspirations to hold the event on an annual basis while seeing its reach expand and continue to have an impact on the local community.