February 5, 2009 — The U.Va. Women’s Center and the Department of Athletics are cosponsoring the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration, which will take place Feb. 8 when the U.Va. Women's Basketball team takes on Virginia Tech.

This year, the University will honor Barbara Kelly, assistant director of U.Va. Athletics for Planning and Special Projects, at this event.

Shortly after women were admitted to the University in 1970, Kelly was hired to plan and develop a women’s athletics program, beginning with intramurals and club sports, then expanding to women’s varsity teams. She served as the first head coach of the women’s basketball team from 1973-1975 and led the way for the ACC to offer championship tournaments to its member women student-athletes.

Kelly, in her retirement after 38 years of service to the Athletics Department, will be honored at a private pre-game reception and recognized in a special ceremony at half time of the basketball game, which starts at 2 p.m.

Tickets for the game can be purchased at the gate or at the U.Va. Ticket Office in Bryant Hall.

A profile on Kelly will run next week on UVA Today.