By Annie Riley
Assistant News Editor
The 27th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NAGWS) will be held on campus April 23.
Tim Gallagher, a counselor education and school counseling grad assistant who works with the program, said female athletes from schools in the area can participate in this event. They can take clinics with different Bonaventure Division I athletes.
“Students who are interested in becoming a college athlete can make recruiting meetings with Bonaventure coaches,” Gallagher said. “The main purpose is to host a fun event to represent women athletes.”
Bonaventure adapted this program 15 years ago after NAGWS was first established.
“Twenty-seven years ago, colleges were asked to do something to honor and promote women in sports,” said Paula Scraba, associate professor of physical education, who organizes the annual event. “This will be my second year taking this position to host the event at Bonaventure.”
The admissions department is a huge contributor to Women in Sports Day at Bonaventure. Each year, at least five incoming freshmen said they attended the event in high school, according to Scraba.
“The theme of the day is Girls in Sports: An Investment in the Future,” said Mary Jane Telford, director of constituent relations and keynote speaker at the event. “I am still preparing my remarks, but I will draw upon my long tenure in athletics and coaching to discuss the lifelong value of participating in athletic competition.”
Telford is a Bona alum who played women’s basketball from 1971 to 1975. She averaged 15 points per game throughout her career and was chosen as the “Ideal Bonaventure Student” runner-up at graduation, the first woman to be so honored.
“Schools need to provide transportation, but they can send their student athletes for free. Lunch for the 400 athletes and coaches will be provided. Students who want to donate can offer their guest swipes from their meal plan,” said Scraba.
The Women’s Rugby team, along with other Division I teams, will volunteer their time to work at the event.
“This is a complete university program,” said Scraba. “Support from different departments on campus and the help of the students make this program successful.”
