WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – This past week, Wilkes University Athletics celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day, marking the third annual highlighting of Wilkes Athletics female student-athletes, coaches, and staff.

On Wednesday, February 4^th, Wilkes Athletics hosted a National Girls and Women in Sports Day panel, put together by Wilkes Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Advisors Keith Klahold and Ashley Irwin featuring former Colonel student-athletes and current administrators. 125 current female student-athletes were in attendance.

"Last year there was fantastic feedback from our student athletes who really enjoyed the engagement of our panel," Irwin said of setting up this year's panel. "This year, we thought let's take it to another level and hear from those who did it best – our Wilkes alums! It was such an honor and a privilege to welcome them back and learn from them that we can do it too!"

Bethany Head (Warren) '10 (Women's Soccer), Cara Basile '16 (Women's Basketball), and Kate Schreffler (Thomas) '15 (Women's Basketball, Swimming) were joined by current Associate AD for Game Operations, Senior Woman Administrator, and Head Softball Coach Jackie Klahold '15 MS to discuss their time as student-athletes and how it helped them in their future careers.
"I'm so proud that we are celebrating girls and women in sports at Wilkes," Basile said. "It was an honor to speak to the current women students-athletes and hear some of their inspiring stories in both athletics and academics. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to play at this university and now give back in this way."

"Being in a room filled with young women who are so passionate about their sport and future careers was incredibly inspiring," Schreffler continued. "It's clear these programs are building a culture that truly supports and elevates women's sports."

"The young women in attendance demonstrated exceptional respect and engagement, reflecting not only on themselves but also on their coaches and Wilkes University," Head added. "I was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with them and to share my knowledge and experience."

Head will be inducted into the Wilkes Athletics Hall of Fame this spring as a part of the 2005 Women's Soccer team.
  Wilkes made this year's celebration a two-day event, turning out in droves on Thursday to the Marts Center for the women's wrestling team's 37-6 dual win over Kean University.

"This day has always been special for me because when I was a student athlete, the celebration of female student athletes didn't really happen," Klahold said. "The investment in female sports across the country has been exponential over the past 25 years. To see all of the opportunities afforded to our female student athletes here at Wilkes University, and everything that they do to be successful in and out of the classroom is truly something amazing to watch and be a small part of."

National Girls and Women in Sports Day, celebrated annually, aims to recognize the accomplishments and positive influence of girls and women in sports. Wilkes University is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for female athletes.