Dr. Sam Witryol Honored As Part Of National Girls and Women In Sports Day

STORRS, Conn. (February 12, 2008) – The 22^nd annual celebration of National Girls and Women In Sports Day was held on Wednesday, February 6, 2008. Each year, thousands of people take time to honor the achievements and encourage participation of girls and women in sports on this day and this year’s theme is “All In.” As part of the celebration, each BIG EAST Conference school annually honors an individual that has made a significant impact on women’s sports at its institution.

This year’s honoree for the University of Connecticut is Dr. Sam Witryol. Witryol has been a fixture on the UConn campus since he first arrived in Storrs in 1949. Witryol was born and raised in Syracuse, N.Y. and earned his undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees from Syracuse University.

Witryol first came to UConn to teach psychology in the graduate program and became an undergraduate professor in 1959. Witryol started the child psychology program at UConn, which has developed into on of the country’s finest in that discipline. He is considered an expert in the development of curiosity in children.

He retired as a full-time professor in 1992. Witryol still teaches once course each semester and is in his 59^th consecutive year of teaching at UConn.

He began a keen interest in women’s athletics from their inception and has developed a great camaraderie with the women’s coaches and their student athletes.

Witryol was recognized at the UConn vs. Providence College women’s basketball game on Saturday, February 2 in a ceremony that featured UConn Director of Athletics Jefffrey Hathaway and Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Women’s Administrator Pat Babcock along with a variety of UConn’s female coaches and student-athletes.

NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports.

NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day 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.

NGWSD is jointly organized by the National Girls and Women in Sport Coalition. The Coalition combines the experience and resources of the six premiere girls- and women-serving organizations in the United States: Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, National Women's Law Center, the Women's Sports Foundation, and the YWCA USA.