CGA Women’s Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/17/2022 02:03 PM EST

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CGA Women's Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy

CGA Women’s Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy CGA Women’s Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy
CGA Women’s Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy CGA Women’s Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy
CGA Women’s Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy CGA Women’s Basketball team reveal uniform to honor SPARs legacy

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NEW LONDON, Conn. — The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Women’s Basketball team revealed a new legacy uniform honoring the U.S. Coast Guard’s Women’s Reserve, also known as the “Semper Paratus, Always Ready” (SPARs), Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.

The origin of the SPARs dates back to 1942, when legislation was passed and subsequently created the Women’s Reserve. This new arm of the Coast Guard proved pivotal roles in both the ongoing WWII war effort as well as paving the way for future women in all branches of the military.

From 1942 until disbandment in 1946, more than 11,000 women volunteered for service. Under the leadership of Capt. Dorothy Stratton, the SPARs commanding officer, the SPARs allowed the Coast Guard to adequately accommodate for logistical and shore-based needs while simultaneously freeing male service members up to serve overseas in the war effort.

After the war, the SPARs were demobilized and the SPARs were all discharged by June 30, 1946. It would not be until 1973 when Congressional legislation officially ended the Women’s Reserve and allowed women to integrate into both the active-duty and reservists ranks of the Coast Guard, where they still serve to this day.

More than 75 years after the disbandment of the SPARs, the Coast Guard Academy women’s basketball team is honoring the legacy of their predecessors when they host Emerson College in their final regular season game of the season. The inaugural SPARs basketball game will commence on, Saturday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. in Roland Hall.

The inaugural SPARs basketball game will commence on, Saturday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. in Roland Hall.

Founded in 1876, the Coast Guard Academy is one of the five U.S. service academies that emphasizes leadership, physical fitness and professional development leading to a guaranteed job upon graduation as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

 

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