POTSDAM -- -SUNY Potsdam Athletics is looking to fill up Maxcy Hall with fans during this Friday's tripleheader in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD).

The Bears’ men’s and women’s basketball teams square off with Oswego State at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. and the women's hockey team hosts Plattsburgh State at 7 p.m. All girls and women are encouraged to wear their team jerseys in celebration of female participation in athletics.

There will be free giveaways during the contests as well as pizza from Little Italy.

NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Marfan's syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan.

The U.S. Congress chartered the day in 1986 to honor female athletic achievement and recognize the importance of sports and fitness participation for all girls and women. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.