Completed Event: Field Hockey at American on September 7, 2025 , Win , 4, to, 1
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Final
James Madison
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at American
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James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
JMU Hosts National Girls and Women in Sports Event
1/30/2020 8:18:00 AM | Civic Engagement, Administration, Student-Athlete Development
HARRISONBURG, Va.— On Sunday, January 26, James Madison Athletics celebrated its annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day as student-athletes from eight different sports hosted around 150 youth to encourage an active lifestyle and sport participation by females. The event was part of the nationwide National Girls and Women in Sports celebration, officially recognized on February 5 and now in its 34th year.
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At the JMU event, the smiles on the young girls' faces were electrifying as they were given the opportunity to get involved with the Dukes and learn to play various sports. Local girls grade Kindergarten through eighth gathered in Godwin Hall's Sinclair Gymnasium to participate in the clinic from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Then, the girls watched the JMU women's basketball team play Northeastern at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
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Many of the JMU women's teams participated - cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball). At 11a.m., the participants gathered around and listened to the Dukes talk about how sports have made an impact on their lives. Then, the participants were broken into groups and assigned a team to start.
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The volleyball team practiced with the girls and displayed the proper techniques for passing, setting and hitting. Volleyball sophomore Rebecca Frye talked about why she finds National Girls and Women in Sports Day so important: "The best thing about this event is that us Dukes get the chance to expose young girls to all new sports and show them they can do anything they want!" Many of Frye's teammates agreed and added, "These girls are able to see firsthand that women are strong and can do anything they put their mind to."
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Each team ran drills with the participants and taught basic skills. Soccer junior Morgan Sherman said, "Teaching these girls reminds me of when I started playing soccer when I was 4. To be able to encourage the younger generation of girls to get into sports is something so rewarding." Teammate, junior Melissa Carvahlo, added, "We love seeing the girls excited. It's the best feeling to be a role model for them."
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When asked what she thinks is most important about this day, women's soccer junior Kathleen Abt mentioned, "It's super important as college athletes to give back to the community you're involved in. We recognize some of these girls when they support us throughout our season, so it's nice to be able to meet them and inspire them even more."
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Softball sophomore Madison Storey added, "The girls get a little taste of everything and get the opportunity to learn from athletes who have been passionate about their sport their whole lives."
Overall attendance at the event was among the best in its history at JMU. After the clinic, the girls headed to watch the women's basketball team defeat the Northeastern Huskies 67-54 to round out a memorable day on campus.
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At the JMU event, the smiles on the young girls' faces were electrifying as they were given the opportunity to get involved with the Dukes and learn to play various sports. Local girls grade Kindergarten through eighth gathered in Godwin Hall's Sinclair Gymnasium to participate in the clinic from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Then, the girls watched the JMU women's basketball team play Northeastern at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
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Many of the JMU women's teams participated - cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball). At 11a.m., the participants gathered around and listened to the Dukes talk about how sports have made an impact on their lives. Then, the participants were broken into groups and assigned a team to start.
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The volleyball team practiced with the girls and displayed the proper techniques for passing, setting and hitting. Volleyball sophomore Rebecca Frye talked about why she finds National Girls and Women in Sports Day so important: "The best thing about this event is that us Dukes get the chance to expose young girls to all new sports and show them they can do anything they want!" Many of Frye's teammates agreed and added, "These girls are able to see firsthand that women are strong and can do anything they put their mind to."
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Each team ran drills with the participants and taught basic skills. Soccer junior Morgan Sherman said, "Teaching these girls reminds me of when I started playing soccer when I was 4. To be able to encourage the younger generation of girls to get into sports is something so rewarding." Teammate, junior Melissa Carvahlo, added, "We love seeing the girls excited. It's the best feeling to be a role model for them."
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When asked what she thinks is most important about this day, women's soccer junior Kathleen Abt mentioned, "It's super important as college athletes to give back to the community you're involved in. We recognize some of these girls when they support us throughout our season, so it's nice to be able to meet them and inspire them even more."
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Softball sophomore Madison Storey added, "The girls get a little taste of everything and get the opportunity to learn from athletes who have been passionate about their sport their whole lives."
Overall attendance at the event was among the best in its history at JMU. After the clinic, the girls headed to watch the women's basketball team defeat the Northeastern Huskies 67-54 to round out a memorable day on campus.
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