JAMESTOWN – This past weekend, The Physical Education Complex on the campus of Jamestown Community College hosted the 21st annual “Get in the Game” event.

“Get in the Game” is a collaborative effort between local organizations to highlight female athletes, raise awareness about the connection between positive self-esteem and sports. The initiative of this event is to encourage girls to participate in sports, promote equality for female athletes, and to form partnerships to support girls and women in sports. This year there were 61 participants.

The AAUW (American Association of University Women), YMCA and JCC were the co-sponsors for this year’s event. Additional support was given by the Western New York Girls in Sports, a foundation that was founded by Mary Wilson, the wife of former Buffalo Bills owner, the late Ralph Wilson, Jr.

Events that participants took part in were basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, yoga and kayaking. Members of the Jayhawk family that helped instill these values on Saturday, the 14th, were Jesse Zenns of the women’s basketball program, Hannah Scholl of the women’s soccer program, along with Emma Pumford, Britney Rounsville, Jenna Caskey and Alexys Marsh of the volleyball program.

“This event is such a great way to show girls a number of different activities that are available to them,” said JCC volleyball head coach Ashley Lund. “To have our student-athletes be a part of this event is a fantastic way for them to reach girls that could be standing in their shoes someday. It gives them an opportunity to make connections in the community and showcase their love for sport and what it means to them."