Canton, NY – The National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is an annual day of observance held during the first week of February to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and honor the progress and continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.
 
February 3, 2021, marks the 35th annual NGWSD. This year SUNY Canton Athletics has chosen to feature several of its female coaches and athletics staff members to celebrate NGWSD. Today we feature Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Teresa Minckler.  
 
 
Question & Answer
 
Q: When did you first start playing sports? What was the first sport you ever played?
A: My older siblings played sports and I would go to their practices, practice with them at home and became the manager for their teams at a young age.  The first sport I ever officially played was basketball for the St. James School Vikings.
 
 
Q: How many sports and what sports did you play in high school and/or college?
A: I played soccer, basketball and volleyball in high school. I played soccer and basketball in college.
   
 
Q: What has playing sports taught you in life?
A: Playing sports has taught me resilience, good work ethic, time management, leadership, but what I value most from sports is the team.  I have so many memories from all of the teams I have had the privilege to be a part of.  You learn how to work with people who are different from you to reach a common goal.  I have been able to meet so many people from various backgrounds who still remain in my life today.
 
 
Q: What are some of the youth sports organizations you were involved in either growing up or that you have worked with during your time coaching? (Ex: midgets' hockey, soccer clinics, youth basketball, etc.)
A: Basketball camps and clinics, soccer camps & clinics, Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club, St. James Vikings, Gouverneur basketball and soccer, youth t-ball, basketball coach.
 
 
Q: Who is a role model for you either now or when you were growing up?
A: My parents and my family.  Teachers and coaches who have had a great impact on my life.
 
 
Q: Who is your favorite coach or a person in the sports field and why?
A: I value all of my experiences from coaches I have had.  You can take pieces and parts from each whether good or bad to learn from and grow.  A coach should be a great teacher and leader, who can adapt to each team they work with and bring out the best in everyone on the team.  They will require you to work hard to reach your goals and have a great time doing it.
 
 
Q: Why did you get into coaching/a sports and athletics related field?
A: I have loved competing in athletics my whole life and I feel blessed to be able to have a career where I am still involved with young adults pursuing their education while playing the sports they love.
 
 
Q: What are some of your hobbies you enjoy outside of sports and work?
A: Spending time with my family and friends.  I also love watching my children compete in sports.
 
 
 
About National Girls & Women in Sports Day
National Girls & Women in Sports Day began in 1987 as a special day in our nation's Capital to recognize women's sports. The day united premiere organizations and elite female athletes to bring national attention to the promise of girls and women in sports. In 1987, NGWSD also served as a remembrance of Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and dedication to promoting equality for women's sports; Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986. It has since evolved into an event to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports. NGWSD is powered by the Women's Sports Foundation, supported by its team of champion athletes and celebrated throughout the year by schools and community-serving organizations across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. NGWSD 2021 Girls Fest is supported by WSF National Partners Athleta, espnW, Gatorade, NBC Sports Groups and Yahoo Sports, and produced in collaboration with signature partners Dick's Sporting Goods and Girl Up.
 
   

About SUNY Canton
SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in digital design, engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY's leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 21 online degree programs. The college placed first in 14 categories in a SUNY-Wide Student Opinion Survey, most notably in career services, tutoring, library resources, and classroom facilities. The college's 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also features varsity eSports and cheerleading. For more information, visit www.canton.edu.