GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College Athletic Department will celebrate the 28th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The William Smith Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is coordinating this year's events. The day's festivities will begin in the Bristol Field House where girls can join the 2013 NCAA Division III National Champion William Smith soccer team and other Heron student-athletes for a free hour-long clinic beginning at 12:30 p.m. In addition to bringing sneakers and shin guards, girls are encouraged to bring a camera to have pictures taken with the national championship trophy.

At 1:45 p.m., NGWSD events will continue in Bristol Gymnasium for the William Smith vs. Vassar basketball game which tips off at 2 p.m. Admission to the game is free for all fans.

Girls will receive a voucher for free popcorn. Prior to tipoff, there will be free face painting for fans. During halftime, girls will be invited to participate in relay races and shooting contests on the court. Immediately following the contest, girls in eighth grade and younger will be given a tour of the Carver-DeLaney Basketball Team Room where members of the Heron basketball team will sign autographs.

NGWSD began as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Mafan's Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation and continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.

The theme of this year's NGWSD is "Passing the Torch, Blazing the Trail."

During the fall 2013 semester, William Smith's 243 student-athletes had a collective grade point average of 3.34 with 81 percent recording a 3.0 or higher GPA. Fifteen Herons attained a 4.0 or higher GPA. In the athletic arena, William Smith won two conference championships, appeared in three NCAA championship events, and finished second at the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association Women's Singlehanded National Championship.