LAKEWOOD, NJ – Georgian Court University's annual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day was recently selected as the NCAA Division II Game Environment Award of Excellence winner for the top game environment initiative for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).

Held on February 4, 2012, the festivites commenced with a youth basketball game involving the junior varsity and varsity squads from Holy Family School in Lakewood, which included a morning warm-up and shoot-around with the GCU Lions basketball team.

After an exciting contest and entertaining routines from the Holy Family and Georgian Court cheerleaders, the droves of spectators worked their way throughout the GCU Wellness Center to participate in numerous activities hosted by the Georgian Court student-athletes, including face painting, poster art, ribbon and bow design, Japanese paper folding (origami), and a photo booth, which gave all attendees an opportunity to have his or her picture taken with a GCU student-athlete or VIP guests, "Buster" from the Lakewood Blue Claws or the Chick-fil-A cow!

All attendees also were invited to enter raffles to win prizes from the Blue Claws, Chick-fil-A and Pirates on the Manasquan.

At 1:00 PM, the throngs of GCU fans packed the gymnasium to cheer on their Lions as the home team defeated visiting Post University, 72-65, in front of their largest crowd of the season.

The afternoon concluded with the first-ever Georgian Court University Basketball Alumni Game as former Lions from the past decades of GCU hoops took the floor for another chance in the spotlight while also receiving the opportunity to reminisce and catch up with old friends.

The NCAA Division II Game Environment Award of Excellence is a part of the NCAA Division II Game Environment Recognition Program aimed at recognizing and rewarding institutions and conferences for their efforts to engage their communities and implement a positive game environment.  The NCAA's Game Environment initiatives are recognized on the institutional, conference and national levels.

The 2013 celebration of NGWSD will take place on Saturday, February 2nd vs. Dominican College.