Celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day with University of Illinois Athletics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Gameday Spirit Fanstore, University of Illinois Athletics, and Illini Women’s Basketball are excited to announce the launch of “Women Win In Orange,” an initiative to amplify women and girls in sports in celebration of the Women’s Sports Foundation’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). The campaign will culminate on February 6, 2025, when the Fighting Illini Women’s Basketball team faces Northwestern in State Farm Center, with tipoff scheduled for 7 PM CT.
Leading up to and on game day, a series of curated events and programs will celebrate the achievements of women in sports and promote community engagement.
Key highlights include the launch of Gameday Spirit’s exclusive Women Win In Orange product line, available online, in stores, and at State Farm Center. Fans attending the February 6 game are encouraged to wear “Women Win In Orange” gear or orange to show their support of the team, the initiative, and NGWSD. Fans can also engage on social media by posting photos wearing the exclusive shirts or Illini Women’s Basketball jerseys and use the hashtag #WomenWinInOrange. One lucky Illini fan will win a Women Win In Orange Prize Pack. Additionally, halftime will feature a youth girls basketball scrimmage, spotlighting the next generation of women athletes.
As part of the game day festivities, a networking event will connect current University of Illinois students with accomplished women working in sports, providing a platform for mentorship and career inspiration. During the pregame ceremony, Gameday Spirit will present the prestigious Game Changer Award, which honors an inspiring female leader in sports who has made significant contributions to advancing opportunities for women and girls.
Women Win In Orange Schedule of Events:
- January 17, 2025
- Campaign launch: Women Win In Orange exclusive collection and social media giveaway
- January 8–20, 2025
- Accepting nominations for the Game Changer in Sports Leadership Award
- January 19, 2025
- Illinois Women’s Basketball home game vs. Michigan State
- January 27, 2025
- Illinois Women’s Basketball home game vs. Purdue
- Announcement of Game Changer Award finalists
- February 5, 2025
- National Girls and Women in Sports Day
- February 6, 2025 - Gameday Activities:
- Networking event for women leaders and students (pregame)
- Presentation of the Game Changer Award (pregame)
- Illinois Women’s Basketball vs. Northwestern
- Halftime youth basketball scrimmage (teams/schools to be announced)
Tickets and Merchandise:
Tickets for the Women Win In Orange game are available at fightingillini.com. Exclusive Women Win In Orange shirts can be purchased at Gameday Spirit stores, and at State Farm Center during Illinois Women’s Basketball games.
For more details about Women Win In Orange activities, visit fightingillini.com/NGWSD2025.
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About Gameday Spirit Fan Store
Celebrating Fans, Championing Gameday Spirit! Gameday Spirit Fan Store fuels the excitement of game day by embracing the passion and pride of college sports fans. As a leader in collegiate licensed apparel, Gameday Spirit’s business spans retail, e-commerce, in-venue stadium locations, apparel production, and college team store management. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Champaign, Ill., the company partners with top universities, including the University of Illinois, Indiana University, Purdue, Northwestern, Ball State, and Ohio University.