Female athletes at Hillgrove High School recently gathered to mark the 39th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The event, led by distance running coach Kailyn Jackman, celebrated both athletic achievements and the broader role of sports in shaping the lives of girls and women.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day is organized by the Women’s Sports Foundation as part of its Lead Forward initiative. The foundation has spent over $1 million since its creation more than 50 years ago to improve access for girls and women in sports. During the event, a panel made up of five Hillgrove coaches discussed how sports have influenced their personal and professional growth.
The coaches reflected on progress made since Title IX was enacted in 1972, which increased equity in education and athletics. However, they also noted ongoing challenges such as limited opportunities, safety concerns, and stereotypes that contribute to higher dropout rates among girls compared to boys. The panelists shared experiences about overcoming injuries, dealing with self-doubt, adapting to new roles, and navigating life changes. They reminded student athletes that while sports are significant, they do not represent a complete identity.
“Being an athlete is a really great privilege,” said lacrosse coach Alicia Acton. “But being an athlete is not everything you are; it is just a portion of it. Who you are as a person is really important. There are a lot of other characteristics about you that are really special and important as well.”
A key message from the discussion was the long-term value gained from athletics: improved academic performance, mental health benefits, leadership skills, teamwork experience, discipline, and resilience. Coaches encouraged students to prioritize personal development over results by supporting each other like family members, remaining adaptable through change, and maintaining self-belief.
“Outside of the game, sports will teach you how to bounce back from disappointments and setbacks and how to be better prepared the next time,” said basketball coach Sue Milam. “Having that inner toughness to push through and do what you need to do to make the situation work is a life skill because things don’t always go your way.”
The celebration concluded with encouragement for young women to challenge existing barriers—emphasizing that past generations paved new paths so today’s athletes can further expand possibilities both within sports and beyond.
Hillgrove High School offers athletic programs as part of its broader commitment to student achievement across academics and arts (official website). The school enrolls students from grades nine through twelve (official website) and aims to equip them with skills for responsible citizenship (official website). Partnerships among students, teachers, parents, and community members support learning at Hillgrove (official website).
