FREDONIA, N.Y.— SUNY Fredonia invites students, faculty, staff and the general public to an afternoon full of basketball games, giveaways, and celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The event will take place this Saturday, Feb. 2 in the Steele Field House from 2 to 6 p.m.

During the event, both the Fredonia State men’s and women’s basketball teams will play against SUNY Oswego. Games are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The event is free for SUNY Fredonia students and for all guests under the age of 16; Admission is $3 for guests 17 and older. Raffle tickets will be available for $1 for prizes including items from the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Buffalo Sabres and many other well known sports teams.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day began in 1987, following the passing of Olympic Star volleyball player Florence Hyman, who passed away in 1986. The day was established to remember her achievements, and to honor the continuing efforts toward equality for women in sports.

Since 2010, Fredonia State’s Megan Valentine, assistant director of Athletics and recreation, began hosting this event on campus.

“It is a nationally celebrated event and with Title IX hitting its 40th year last year, I feel that this event is a great opportunity to educate our campus and surrounding community on the benefits of athletic and recreational activity participation, specifically for girls and women,” says Valentine. “As girls mature, their rate of participation in interscholastic sports has historically decreased.

“Furthermore, it's important that everyone supports everyone to reach the full benefits of and access to this participation.”

National Girls and Women in Sports Day is not only a day to remember the great legacy of Hyman, but also a day to remember past and present sport achievements, the positive influence of playing sports, and the equality and access for females in sports.