If you have ever played a high school or college sport, you know what National Signing Day is. You've probably had it circled on your calendar in excitement as you waited for your own or even your friend's big moment to sign. It's one of the most gratifying experiences a young athlete can have.

For those not familiar, National Signing Day is when a high school or transfer athlete signs their National Letter of Intent (an NLI). The letter is a binding a commitment of the athlete pledging to play for the school involved. There are several during the year, but the most well known occurs on the first Wednesday of February. That is when future NCAA football, soccer, and men's water polo athletes sign.

In 2018, National Signing Day fell on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. An annual day designated to celebrate female athletics and the strides it has made over the years. 2018 will be the 32 annual NGWSD, while thousands of young female athletes will be pledging their allegiance to continue to play the sport they love.

There is a great deal of beauty in the statement.

There has never been a greater time to be a female athlete than right now. NCAA reports that 53% of NCAA teams are female and that number is always on the rise. The U.S Women's National Soccer team continues to dominate on the international stage while pressing for more gender equality when it comes to equal pay, Serena Williams won her 23rd Singles Grand Slam honors and then revealed later she did it while 2 MONTHS PREGNANT, and alumni of the US' gymnast Fierce Five became the new faces of female empowerment when they took a firm and courageous stance on sexual assault.

What was once regarded as a 'boys only pass time' has evolved into an environment for female growth. Being involved in sports creates positive bonds with other females, encourages healthy habits, and creates teamwork and social skills that help a female throughout her life.

Never has there been such an abundance of strong female role models for a young girl to look up to, never has sport been open and supportive of women or given them as many opportunities.

While 2017, and arguably the beginning of 2018, was bleak, this is difiniative proof that there are still good things in this world.