If you tell senior Kate Chin that she plays sports like a girl, she has only one answer:
"Thank you."
Chin, a varsity athlete, co-organized Bowdoin's third annual Girls and Women in Sports Day on Sunday.
The event's idea originated as a way to support the annual nation-wide Women in Sports Day. The national event, which always takes place in February, honors Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, which states that women have the right to an equal education.
The on-campus event, which is sponsored by the Bowdoin Athletic Department and Bowdoin Student Athletes, began at Bowdoin in 2006. It originally took place in Sargent Gymnasium with only 50 participants, but demand for the day rose so greatly in its second year that it had to be moved to Farley Field House.
According to the program's director, Women's Volleyball Head Coach Karen Corey, the program had a record 174 pre-registered athletes this year, and more than 200 participants, hailing from the Brunswick, Topsham, Portland, and Freeport areas. Corey said word of mouth was the major source of increased attendance, and credited volleyball player Margot Linton '08 for her involvement in marketing, especially within the school systems.
"We moved the day to Sunday so it would be open to more girls, and attendance has skyrocketed for that reason too," said Corey.
"I'd say we have about 40 returning athletes, many of whom are children of Bowdoin faculty," said Corey, whose three girls, ages two, four, and six, all participated.
As of 1 p.m., Farley Field House was swarming with girls ages four to 18, all of whom started the three-hour day by registering, doing the hokey-pokey, skips, high-knees and jumping jacks before being divided into groups by age. Throughout the day, the girls moved between clinics of 15 minutes each, all led by a different varsity women's sport team.
Chin said the varsity female athletes really enjoy the day.
"They love instructing the kids, and the female players are presented with a unique leadership opportunity when planning what activities to do," said Chin before blowing the whistle to announce the transition between clinics.
"The student athletes have a great time, I think," said Corey. "For all of us involved in sports, giving back is invaluable."
The young players rotated clinics with others in their age groups, laying down their field hockey sticks to eagerly pick up rugby balls. The girls participated in activities including lacrosse, soccer, rugby, field hockey, volleyball, softball, basketball, and ice hockey throughout the day.
Larry Hart, father of five-year-old Elizabeth Hart, sat on a bench beside the track watching his daughter hit a volleyball. He said he was excited to see his shy daughter enjoying herself and learning new sports.
"My daughter is really into soccer, but that is really all she's been exposed to," he said. "I'm a big believer in providing her with exposure to all sports. Who knows, some other sports might really stick in her mind after today."
The free day ended with all players receiving a "Girls and Women in Sports" t-shirt and pizza donated by the coaches of the Bowdoin Athletic Department.
According to Chin, however, the real purpose of the day is about more than free goods and exposure to new sports.
"It's really just a great opportunity for these young girls to play sports alongside the women they come to watch," Chin said. "This time with their role models is truly special."