Western Kentucky University will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Saturday, Jan. 31, when WKU Lady Topper Basketball hosts Southern Miss in E.A. Diddle Arena. As part of the festivities, WKU Athletics will host a free youth event for girls (grades three through eight) to participate in various activities such as basketball drills, volleyball, soccer, hula hoop, cheers and dance routines.
Space is limited to the first 200 girls that sign up online at www.wkusports.com/ngwsd. The event will run from noon until 1:30 p.m. with check-in beginning at 11:30 a.m. Registration is now open.
Each individual that signs up for the clinic will also receive a free ticket for the Lady Toppers game with the Golden Eagles. Tipoff between WKU and Southern Miss is set for 2 p.m. CT in E.A. Diddle Arena. Friends and family of clinic participants can purchase additional tickets to the game for just $5. For those unable to participant in the clinic, kids 12 and under can receive free admission with a paid adult admission.
Additional offers for the game are also available as it is Big Red's Rascals Night in E.A. Diddle Arena. All members of Big Red's Rascals will receive a complimentary reserved ticket to the game and all friends and family may purchase additional tickets for just $5 each. The Party 1 Kid Zone will also be open on the third level concourse of E.A. Diddle Arena. The inflatable fun zone for kids opens one hour prior to tipoff.
In addition, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free red towel.
NGWSD began in 1987 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 Marfan’s Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day devoted to acknowledging the past accomplishments of female athletes and recognizing current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
There are multiple opportunities to see the Lady Toppers in action in advance of National Girls and Women in Sports Day in E.A. Diddle Arena as well.
WKU faces Florida Atlantic on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m. as part of the Lady Toppers’ annual Spread the Red Education Game. Area school children will be in attendance for the game as part of the culmination of a month-long program between WKU Athletics and local schools, creating a synergy between education and athletics. Teachers will utilize historical statistics and biographical information on the student-athletes and teams as a learning mechanism by incorporating them into history, reading, math and geography lessons. Students will also learn and see firsthand the value of receiving an education and the importance of teamwork in achieving goals. While at the game, students will also have the chance to see the recently completed Hall of History, located on the second level of E.A. Diddle Arena, to learn more about the history of WKU Athletics and its impact on the university and community.
Fans can purchase tickets for the matinee matchup with Florida Atlantic for just $1 as WKU encourages fans to pack the house. Fans can also take advantage of the Hilltopper Express Deal from Centerplate where fans can purchase bottomless popcorn for just $6.
WKU then hosts FIU on Saturday, Jan. 17 for Alumni Day at E.A. Diddle Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. Former members of the Lady Topper Basketball program will be introduced at halftime as they return to campus to see the current edition of the Lady Toppers in action. Lady Topper Basketball alumni, including all former players, students managers and coaches, who have not already registered for the event can contact the WKU Women’s Basketball office at 270-745-2133 or at peggy.fishback@wku.edu for more details or to RSVP at any time. Following the game, there will also be an exclusive reception for Lady Topper Basketball alumni.
Fans are also taking advantage of the U-Win ticket program from the month of December. Fans who purchased a ticket for a game during the month of December continue to be rewarded with a free ticket for ensuing games as long as the Lady Toppers continue to win at home. Fans can contact the WKU Ticket Office for more details.
Single-game tickets for all Lady Topper Basketball home games are on sale now and can be purchased online at WKUSports.com or by calling the WKU Ticket Office at 1-800-5-BIG RED or 745-5222 locally.
WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart has also extended a unique offer for the remainder of the season.
“Our women’s basketball team is off to a great start this season, but we need more people in the stands,” said Stewart. “I guarantee you will have a great time seeing this team this year. Please buy a ticket and see this Lady Topper team. If you don’t have a great time, send me your ticket stub and I will refund your money.”
The offer is available for the rest of the 2014-15 season.