National Girls and Women in Sports Day is Feb. 1, and the Villanova and Marquette women’s basketball teams are celebrating in style with a “girls forward” event between the two talented programs Wednesday at 6 p.m. :30 ET on FS2.
This special broadcast event seeks to promote inclusion in the sport of basketball and beyond.
The game is part of an all-day celebration sponsored by Villanova and the Big East that will also include a women’s leadership panel. FOX Sports’ Kim Adams will moderate the panel before calling the night’s game. Adams will serve as a game analyst on the FS2 broadcast, with Sloane Martin handling the play-by-play duties. Meghan Caffrey will be the supporting reporter.
On the TV truck, Kristin Hennessey will produce while Bonnie Reilly will direct. The production team, including camera operators, playback operators, audio and graphics crews and technical director, will be entirely female-led. In addition, the game officials will be an all-female line-up.
The match has two female coaches at the head of their teams.
Villanova’s Denise Dillon, who took over the program after Harry Perretta’s 42-year tenure with the program, said, “This is where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be doing.” His No. 19 Wildcats are 18-4 this season.
Marquette head coach Megan Duffy also works hard to lead by example for her Golden Eagles every day.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be able to play sports and train now,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the opportunities I had at a young age to try anything and be whatever I wanted to be.”
“Along with Villanova, we look forward to hosting this inspiring celebration of the many important roles women now play in the world of sports,” Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement. “Our game will showcase two of our most successful women’s basketball programs led by women, while our national Women’s Advance broadcast will highlight the ways women can work in television production. The Big East is proud to support and promote the advancement of women in society. , and our impressive lineup of speakers will further reinforce how women are making their mark at the highest levels of the sports industry.”
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