University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Erin Moreland
DACCR Co-Hosts Annual National Girls and Sports Day Celebration with OWAA
3/18/2026 11:56:00 AM | Delaware Athletics
NEWARK, Del. – On Thursday, February 12, the University of Delaware Department of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation co-hosted the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) Celebration in conjunction with the State of Delaware's Office of Women's Advocacy and Advancement (OWAA), a division of the Delaware Department of Human Resources.
The event included a proclamation ceremony with State of Delaware Governor Matt Meyer and a panel discussing the importance of women in sports and the journeys the panelists have had. The seven-person panel included:
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE NGWSD PANEL
"It's always great to recognize the women past, present, and future that have made an impact in sports. We get to make a difference every day in the lives of girls and women, while providing an opportunity for those same girls and women to make their own impact. I'm grateful to be a part of an institution which believes in supporting those efforts."
Located in Newark, Delaware, University of Delaware Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation sponsors 22 varsity sports and three spirit teams. Aiming to achieve excellence together, the department boasts a storied history of 543 All-Americans, 172 team conference titles, 282 individual conference crowns, and 10 national championships. Fourteen of UD's 22 varsity programs are housed in Conference USA, with eight others joining as affiliate members in the Atlantic Sun (women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming & diving), Atlantic 10 (men's lacrosse), Mid-American Conference (rowing), The Summit League (men's soccer), and Atlantic Hockey America (ice hockey), and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (field hockey). The Blue Hens' student-athletes have achieved a 3.0 GPA or better in 24-consecutive semesters, including its best year ever in 2024-25 at 3.41.
ABOUT OWAA
The Office of Women's Advancement and Advocacy (OWAA), a division of the Delaware Department of Human Resources, is a key resource on the well-being of women and girls in Delaware, dedicated to promoting gender equity. It provides expert support—such as data analysis, research, and policy recommendations—to state leaders, helping shape informed decisions that impact women. OWAA also recognizes the accomplishments of Delaware women and girls through a number of annual events including the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame Award, the She's On Her Way Award, and the National Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration.
The event included a proclamation ceremony with State of Delaware Governor Matt Meyer and a panel discussing the importance of women in sports and the journeys the panelists have had. The seven-person panel included:
- Mattie White, University of Delaware Deputy AD, Sport Administration & Internal Operations/SWA
- McKenzie Didio, University of Delaware senior women's lacrosse student-athlete and student-athlete advisory committee president
- Lauren Leath, University of Delaware junior track & field student-athlete
- Billi Roman, University of Delaware freshman ice hockey student-athlete
- Liz Welch, WIlmington Blue Rocks General Manager
- Jocelyn Fisher-Gates, Turnkey ZRG Vice President
- Zina Garrison, Olympian and professional tennis player
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT THE NGWSD PANEL
"It's always great to recognize the women past, present, and future that have made an impact in sports. We get to make a difference every day in the lives of girls and women, while providing an opportunity for those same girls and women to make their own impact. I'm grateful to be a part of an institution which believes in supporting those efforts."
- Mattie White, Deputy AD, Sport Administration & Internal Operations/Senior Woman Administrator
- Sherese Brewington-Carr, Director of OWAA.
- McKenzie Didio, University of Delaware senior women's lacrosse student-athlete and student-athlete advisory committee president
- Lauren Leath, University of Delaware junior track & field student-athlete
Located in Newark, Delaware, University of Delaware Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation sponsors 22 varsity sports and three spirit teams. Aiming to achieve excellence together, the department boasts a storied history of 543 All-Americans, 172 team conference titles, 282 individual conference crowns, and 10 national championships. Fourteen of UD's 22 varsity programs are housed in Conference USA, with eight others joining as affiliate members in the Atlantic Sun (women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming & diving), Atlantic 10 (men's lacrosse), Mid-American Conference (rowing), The Summit League (men's soccer), and Atlantic Hockey America (ice hockey), and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (field hockey). The Blue Hens' student-athletes have achieved a 3.0 GPA or better in 24-consecutive semesters, including its best year ever in 2024-25 at 3.41.
ABOUT OWAA
The Office of Women's Advancement and Advocacy (OWAA), a division of the Delaware Department of Human Resources, is a key resource on the well-being of women and girls in Delaware, dedicated to promoting gender equity. It provides expert support—such as data analysis, research, and policy recommendations—to state leaders, helping shape informed decisions that impact women. OWAA also recognizes the accomplishments of Delaware women and girls through a number of annual events including the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame Award, the She's On Her Way Award, and the National Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration.
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