Buffalo State Athletics played host to 42 members of the Girls Sports Foundation (GSF) for its home women’s basketball, hockey and swimming and diving competitions on Saturday, Jan. 12.

The GSF, led by president and Buffalo State alum and Hall of Fame women’s basketball player Cecelie Owens, enjoyed a day at the Sports Complex taking in all three athletics contests as well as getting a behind the scenes look at Bengals Athletics. The girls toured the locker rooms, met the players, got autographs, received postgame talks from the coaches, ate lunch and even got the chance to try on the women’s hockey players’ equipment.

The kids also got the opportunity to meet President Muriel A. Howard who was in attendance at the athletics events. As the president spoke to the group, one of the young girls, attempting to comprehend the president’s role at the college asked, “So are you like the principal?”

The day-long event was organized in part by Dr. Gail F. Maloney, Buffalo State’s Senior Associate Athletics Director and member of the GSF Board of Directors. Other members of the Buffalo State community involved on the board of directors include Dr. Susan Baldwin of the health and wellness department and Darryl Carter from the office of precollegiate programs.

The goals of the GSF, based out of the Edward Saunders Community Center in Buffalo, include providing motivating and relevant services to underserved girls ages 4-18. The program stresses the importance of high academic achievement, respect, leadership, self-confidence, healthy lifestyles, team work and good sportsmanship through participation in sports.