Princeton University Athletics
Girls Rock Jadwin Gym
April 10, 2001 | General
Jadwin Gymnasium has survived concerts, a frenzied national wrestling championship crowd and a wavering floor during a CBS televised basketball game. A few years ago a technical foul was called on its fans because their bleacher stomping caused the floor and the opponent's basket to shake.
But Jadwin just won't be the same after the events of Feb. 10, when the gym played host to National Girls and Women in Sports Day. More than 2,000 people, mostly girls age 14 and younger, came out to celebrate the special occasion, and they were one of the loudest crowds to ever support a Tiger basketball team.
NGWSD, which began in 1987, has evolved into a nationwide celebration to remember the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
This is the second year that Princeton has been an official host site for the event.
"This year's event was definitely a notch up from last year," says Kedi Finkbeiner, assistant director of athletic development and Princeton's coordinator for NGWSD. "Last year we came up with the idea to make it interactive, and since the event was such a success, with more than 1,300 in attendance, we knew that there was an opportunity to take the night to an even larger scale.
"In order to do so we started planning the event in October by building a relationship with the Delaware-Raritan Girls Scouts, who brought more than 900 people to the event.
During the hour preceding the tip-off of the Tigers women's basketball game against Harvard, Princeton female student-athletes hosted 13 interactive stations that introduced girls to some of the athletic opportunities available to women at Princeton.
"The real credit for this event goes to the female student-athletes," says Finkbeiner. "Without their interest in reaching out to the community, we wouldn't be able to host such a wonderful event."
REFLECTIONS ON NATIONAL WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN SPORTS DAY:
"It seemed to make all the hard work and time that we, as collegiate athletes, have dedicated to our respective sports all the more worth it. It was exciting to share even just an hour with these little girls, knowing that despite the struggles that they will inevitably go through as female athletes, they are on their way to potentially take women's sports to an even higher level than my generation." - Linley Gober, soccer captain
"Jadwin Gym rocked ...with women. The loud, and I mean loud, cheering continued right down to the final minutes of the game. It was a great evening, as women and girls came together to discuss sport, see sport and cheer like crazy for sport. At the conclusion of the evening, I realized the great strides women have made in athletics over the last 20 years. I am confident that my young daughters will have endless opportunities to participate in a variety of sports and how this will only make them stronger and better women." - Amy Kubacki, associate director, University development
"As a coach and parent I gave Princeton's National Girls and Women in Sports Day program a resounding `thumbs up.' Our [track and field] team really got into working with the children in the clinic setting. They enjoyed introducing literally hundreds of girls to the different events of track and field. When was the last time you saw 30 girls in line to do the long jump, 20 in line to do the shot put and who knows how many for the high jump. We were literally overrun with enthusiastic kids. "As a parent, I got a big kick out of my two daughters getting instruction in the hurdles from the women on my team. This was big for me as it is definitely not cool for dad to attempt to coach his own. "The spirit during the women's basketball game versus Harvard was definitely tremendous. Scores of little girls who barely understand the rules became totally involved with each shot. My six-year-old suggested that we never let Harvard back in the building. I guess there are some things a dad doesn't have to coach." - Peter Farrell, track and field coach
"Last year's event was an eye-opener--I'll bet there were 1,500 in the stands for the game--but this year's was extraordinary. I didn't think I'd ever see over 2,000 fans--90 percent female-- screaming at Jadwin during a women's basketball game. You can't imagine the conversations among the girls as I drove them home! Many had never been to a college basketball game before, and they were on a high that was great to see." - Peter McDonough, University counsel