NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – As part of the 33^rd annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Niagara University took time to recognize the nearly 200 women that play for, coach or work with the 10 school's 10 varsity teams. Several student athletes, as well as academic coach Gabrielle Lathrop, sat down to share their stories, offer advice and say thanks to the women who helped get them to where they are now.
 
Softball captains Sierra Bertrand, Rachel Funk and Kendall Watkins, as well as lacrosse players Amy McNally and Bella Petriello, answered several questions about what playing sports means to them, their role models, and discussed some of the benefits of being female athletes. Interview clips were shared throughout the day on Twitter and Instagram, and full videos are available for viewing on Facebook and YouTube.
 
Lathrop, a former softball player at D'Youville College, joined Niagara University as an academic coach in August 2015. With a unique perspective as a former student-athlete who has continued on to work in athletics, Lathrop noted several personal moments that allow her to be a successful tutor and mentor to the hundreds of student-athletes she interacts with in her current position. Her full interview is available for viewing on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube:

 
Since the passage of Title IX in 1972, the opportunities for women to compete and participate in sports has grown exponentially. Swimming and diving became Niagara's first varsity female sport in 1973, and the university now sponsors women's teams in basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Those 10 programs have combined to earn seven MAAC Championships, appear in seven NCAA tournaments, and produce 40 conference Players of the Year.