ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – On Thursday morning, UCF Athletics hosted a breakfast to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the Country Club of Orlando.
"(Dr. Daniel J. White's) vision and support of women's athletics has always been there in the forefront of his mission and his goals," said Brandi Stuart, Executive AD for Student-Athlete Welfare and Development. "We're very thankful for all the men and women who came out today. We're really excited to see all of the support and all of the energy around women's athletics at UCF."
In addition to recognizing the accomplishments of UCF female student-athletes, attendees heard from panels of head coaches and student-athletes sharing insights into their programs.
"Today was amazing; I'm so blown away by the turnout," head golf coach Emily Marron said. "We've never had anything like this, so I think it's a good thing to get started at UCF. It's great to see more girls in sports and women supporting sports. We wouldn't be able to get to do what we do without that support."
For volleyball's Anne-Marie Watson, the high attendance at the event wasn't as unexpected. As an Orlando native, the sophomore has seen the uplifting spirit of the community.
"It's such an amazing community that supports women tremendously," Watson said. "They care about us; they want to see us grow up and be successful. They want to see us do amazing in our sport and then (after) we graduate and the sports are done.
The recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day will continue prior to Sunday’s UCF women’s basketball game. UCF Athletics will be holding a free children’s sports clinic featuring numerous UCF coaches and student-athletes. The clinic is open to children in eighth grade or below and will take place at The Venue at UCF, which is located directly to the north of CFE Arena. All participants in the children’s clinic will receive a UCF T-shirt.