UC Riverside Celebrates 35th National Girls and Women in Sports Day
2/3/2021 9:22:00 AM | General
RIVERSIDE, Calif.— Today, Wednesday, February 3, 2021 marks the 35th anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGSWD), a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports. Over the years, UC Riverside Athletics has celebrated the occasion by hosting close to 100 elementary and middle school girls for a day of fun, engagement, inspiration, and celebration alongside many of the Highlanders' coaches, student-athletes and staff members.
Although unable to host an in-person event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UCR Athletics will celebrate the event online through our social media channels and website, reflecting on the importance and achievements of girls and women in sports.
Our commitment to women's sports is and will remain unwavering and we look forward to sharing those stories with you in the days and weeks to come.
Wes Mallette, Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
"The positive impact sport has had on my daughter, Soledad, and stepdaughter, Nola, is undeniable and to see them developing into leaders who are going to change the world is exciting. Also, I have had the privilege of mentoring and coaching young women in high school and college athletics over the years and watching them excel in life is a joy. We must be unwavering in our support and celebrate our girls and women in sports, not just today but every day."
Michael Boele, Senior Women's Administrator
" Sports means the world to me. It provided me an opportunity to play many different sports and build lifelong friendships, while learning life skills such as time management, teamwork, listening, leadership, and patience, to name a few. Most of all, coming from a divorced family, sports provided me a strong connection with my dad. Having him on the sidelines, as a lines judge at my soccer games or being in the stands of my soccer games, as well as him teaching me the game of football, are memories of a lifetime and ones I cherish each and every day as I know he is guiding me from above."
Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Director of Sports Communications, Digital and Emerging Media
"Sports have always been a huge part of my life. I grew up at my brother's little league games until I played tee-ball, then basketball, soccer, softball and swimming, and now I work in sports. It has shaped who I am as a person, provided me with discipline and greatly informed the set of values I live my life by. The experiences I had as a girl in sports prepared me for all the challenges of adulthood, and womanhood specifically. With sports, you are taught to persevere. I can't wait to see my niece take the field, court or pool for whatever she chooses to do in the future – I'll be cheering her and her teammates on!"
Nate Browne, Head Coach, Cross Country, Track and Field
" It's important to me as a father of 2 young girls that we continue to create opportunities for young women and girls in athletics. I have had the privilege of coaching women's teams for over the last 12+ years and it has been time well spent. I have so many fond memories of our alumnae that developed as athletes with us but more importantly became UC graduates and now lead incredibly productive and impactful lives."
Michelle Patton-Coleman, Women's Volleyball Head Coach
"Today we honor all who have lent their voice, fought, donated, or just cared enough to positively impact girls and women in sport throughout history. We thank you! Using sport as a platform to teach life lessons will always be such important work that I care deeply about, and we miss interacting with all of the amazing young girls in our community. Seeing them grow year after year through sport is one of the most rewarding things we get to experience as coaches."
Rob Hansen, Assistant Coach, Cross Country, Track and Field
"Women in sports means empowerment! I believe women in our program are able to develop the confidence, the strength and the courage required to be great leaders all over the world. Athletics is a major proponent in developing and accelerating those traits in young women. Plus, let's be honest, many women are flat out phenomenal athletes and ultra-competitive and simply deserve the same opportunity to showcase their talents!"
Looking back on last year's incredible NGWSD 2020 Celebration:
NGSWD began in 1987 in our nation's capital to recognize women's sports and exists to acknowledge 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. Powered by the Women's Sports Foundation, NGSWD is supported by its team of champion athletes, and celebrated throughout the year by schools and community‐serving organizations across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Although unable to host an in-person event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UCR Athletics will celebrate the event online through our social media channels and website, reflecting on the importance and achievements of girls and women in sports.
Our commitment to women's sports is and will remain unwavering and we look forward to sharing those stories with you in the days and weeks to come.
Wes Mallette, Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
"The positive impact sport has had on my daughter, Soledad, and stepdaughter, Nola, is undeniable and to see them developing into leaders who are going to change the world is exciting. Also, I have had the privilege of mentoring and coaching young women in high school and college athletics over the years and watching them excel in life is a joy. We must be unwavering in our support and celebrate our girls and women in sports, not just today but every day."
Michael Boele, Senior Women's Administrator
" Sports means the world to me. It provided me an opportunity to play many different sports and build lifelong friendships, while learning life skills such as time management, teamwork, listening, leadership, and patience, to name a few. Most of all, coming from a divorced family, sports provided me a strong connection with my dad. Having him on the sidelines, as a lines judge at my soccer games or being in the stands of my soccer games, as well as him teaching me the game of football, are memories of a lifetime and ones I cherish each and every day as I know he is guiding me from above."
Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Director of Sports Communications, Digital and Emerging Media
"Sports have always been a huge part of my life. I grew up at my brother's little league games until I played tee-ball, then basketball, soccer, softball and swimming, and now I work in sports. It has shaped who I am as a person, provided me with discipline and greatly informed the set of values I live my life by. The experiences I had as a girl in sports prepared me for all the challenges of adulthood, and womanhood specifically. With sports, you are taught to persevere. I can't wait to see my niece take the field, court or pool for whatever she chooses to do in the future – I'll be cheering her and her teammates on!"
Nate Browne, Head Coach, Cross Country, Track and Field
" It's important to me as a father of 2 young girls that we continue to create opportunities for young women and girls in athletics. I have had the privilege of coaching women's teams for over the last 12+ years and it has been time well spent. I have so many fond memories of our alumnae that developed as athletes with us but more importantly became UC graduates and now lead incredibly productive and impactful lives."
Michelle Patton-Coleman, Women's Volleyball Head Coach
"Today we honor all who have lent their voice, fought, donated, or just cared enough to positively impact girls and women in sport throughout history. We thank you! Using sport as a platform to teach life lessons will always be such important work that I care deeply about, and we miss interacting with all of the amazing young girls in our community. Seeing them grow year after year through sport is one of the most rewarding things we get to experience as coaches."
Rob Hansen, Assistant Coach, Cross Country, Track and Field
"Women in sports means empowerment! I believe women in our program are able to develop the confidence, the strength and the courage required to be great leaders all over the world. Athletics is a major proponent in developing and accelerating those traits in young women. Plus, let's be honest, many women are flat out phenomenal athletes and ultra-competitive and simply deserve the same opportunity to showcase their talents!"
Looking back on last year's incredible NGWSD 2020 Celebration:
NGSWD began in 1987 in our nation's capital to recognize women's sports and exists to acknowledge 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. Powered by the Women's Sports Foundation, NGSWD is supported by its team of champion athletes, and celebrated throughout the year by schools and community‐serving organizations across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Highlander Hot Talk Podcast - Spring Sports Recap 5/21/2026
Thursday, May 21
Day in the Life: Leilani Juan
Monday, May 04
UCR Student-Athletes cheer on our students.
Friday, May 01
UCR Athletics Director Introductory Full Press Conference
Tuesday, March 24
