President Obama: Draws up women’s basketball bracket

President Obama acknowledged the female basketball community today by actually FILLING OUT A BRACKET!

Step in the right direction, and certainly sets an example for the rest of the country. There are TWO championships going on people!

Hat-tip to Christine Brennan at USA Today for writing about the story.

To get involved in a bracket challenge, join us at WomenTalkSports.com (there will be giveaways!)

How YouTube Direct could change sports broadcasting

Some recent, exciting news – YouTube Direct launched. This post discusses why it’s important for those in the sports world to pay attention to it.

Essentially, YouTube Direct is a platform which allows media sites to permit users to upload videos to YouTube without leaving the media site (see picture to the right). So far, those to take advantage of this new (free) API are mostly traditional news sites – The Huffington Post, NPR, Politico and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Why should people in the sports world care? It all has to do with broadcast media and the diversification of sporting event content.

(First, if you haven’t done so already, read my recent post on NCAA and social media: Friends?.)

Here’s my thinking…

One of my key criticisms of (some, not all) NCAA athletic departments was the fact that many of them aren’t open to the idea of sharing. In particular, I think they don’t broadcast their video content online nearly as much as they should. By limiting themselves to their local markets, they’re limiting their reach to a small, geographic area.

On the national level, let’s face it – not all sports are broadcast on TV. First, there’s just not enough space and licenses. Primary spots are given to “primary” sporting events. Meanwhile, all the others stay within the reach of their local media (which can be quite limiting).

But in both of these situations, there are a few constants – the fans and the athletes.

Read more

NCAA and social media: Friends?

I’d like to extend a huge “welcome!” to NCAA collegiate athletic departments – it seems that this year, you may have finally realized the power of technology in bringing fans into your stadiums. Well, at least some of you have.

What am I talking about? Well, apparently, a panel of [experts?] convened at an NCAA education session and came up with the following finding:

“Programs willing to invest in effective communication can reap far greater support than at any time in their history.”

Couldn’t agree more. I’m just left a little confused as to why it took a panel of experts AND so much time to figure this out. These tools have been around forever. The only thing I can come up with is that there are some weird regulations out there that I don’t know about. Or athletic departments weren’t willing to lose control of their information. But now they don’t have any choice, and control is being relinquished. I guess that’s innovation?

NCAA institutions (especially schools which have strong female programs) should be doing everything they can to get fans, even if that means going online. Free tools exist, starting with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. These are ways to connect with people and keep them engaged, and sports fans are some of the most faithful users. Embrace it.

So I have to ask the question -  sports information directors, where the heck have you been?

You’ve got a lot of work to do. You need to show me why my friends and I should care about you. What makes you different and cool? What makes you indispensable?

The NCAA panel was right – unlike any other time in history, there’s a huge opportunity here. But like the millions of Americans who are out of work or suffering in the economic depression, you’ve got some proving to do. Here are a few things to think about:

Read more

NCAA career development program for women

The NCAA is holding a career development program that’s targeting women, announced today. It’s going to be held on December 17 in conjunction with the women’s volleyball championship at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.

Here’s the kicker: Registration is limited to 35 participants and is currently open to female students and student-athletes from any division and sport.

Ok, so you’re targeting women. But only 35 of us? How exactly is that intended to make a realistic impact in getting women involved in college sports careers?

If you’d like to voice your opinion (or get more information), contact Karen Morrison, NCAA director of gender initiatives, at kmorrison@ncaa.org.

How to increase attendance to women’s basketball games

The other day, I received an interesting question from a reader of WomenTalkSports.com. The individual, a college student, said:

“I’m working on a project to increase attendance at a women’s basketball tournament. Because this is your specialty, I was hoping you could offer any available tips or resources you’ve encountered on the best way to achieve this.”

To be completely honest, I didn’t know a good answer to give him. My personal feeling, as an ex-college basketball player, is that it’s a complex issue that involves many social, cultural, athletic talent and (obviously) financial factors.

Stumped, I crowdsourced the question to my fellow bloggers of the WomenTalkSports community and tweeted the question via twitter.com/womentalksports.

Below are some of the responses I received. What are your thoughts? Interested in continuing this conversation, as many of my friends found it worthwhile to answer.

Question: What are some ways to increase attendance to women’s college basketball games?

Answers….

@loisheilig: “That is a tough question. But if there were more games on TV someone might
watch & decide they would like to go see one. And keep the prices down.”

Sports Girl Kat: (speaking from her personal experience): “Giveaways such as such as iPod Touches, a pair of Red Sox tickets, gift certificates, and a semester’s worth of textbooks.” “T-shirts, free popcorn and soda, as well as competitions between students.”Have a student DJ spin between warm-ups and the game. Dare really popular students to bring as many friends as possible – if they bring 15, they get a coupon for several pizzas. Find out what your non-sports fans will come out to an non-sporting event for, and offer that inconjunction with a basketball game.”

Jayda Evans: (speaking with WNBA perspective) “I would have thought the W’s Live Access would helped, but only a few games aired without constant buffering. If you can’t get coverage, you have to see the product to develop some sort of connection that pulls you to the arena. I’d also say more weekend matchups and probably day-time starts during true summer months. More families can attend games without disrupting kids’ sleep sked. Lastly, I’d say drop some prices down or offer more perks with the ticket. Even college ball in some areas are trying to entice and people love free stuff or the feeling of getting a real good deal.”

Read more

Jacklyn Murphy’s “big sisters”: Northwestern women’s lacrosse team

Jacklyn Murphy is no ordinary 14-year-old junior varsity lacrosse player. She’s got a great story, one which I’m thrilled to say the New York Times told the world this past weekend.

In short, Jacklyn, four years ago, was a frail 10 year old being treated for a malignant brain tumor. Through a mutual friend, she developed a unique relationship with the Northwestern University Women’s Lacrosse coach, and then the team, who have since become her “big sisters.”

At the time, the lacrosse players developed a relationship with Jacklyn through cards, text messages and a signed media guide.  Taken back by her story, the Northwestern players “began playing for Jacklyn,” New York Times reporter Pete Thamel wrote. “Soon after it started winning national championships, four in a row.”

The team is now 21-0 this season, and two games away from its title. They beat Princeton on their home turf in an N.C.A.A. quarterfinal game Saturday afternoon, and will compete against Penn on Sunday in Towson, MD at 6pm ET.

The bond helped Jacklyn, too. Thamel writes, “the bond the Northwestern team formed with Jaclyn helped save her life. She is now a healthy 14-year-old freshman at Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, N.Y., where she plays junior varsity lacrosse.”

Denis Murphy, Jacklyn’s father, has since set up Friends of Jacklyn, a non-profit organization which “matches a child with a college or high school sports team based on geographic location.”

“There’s magic in what they’ve done for her,” Denis Murphy said. “I can’t tell you or put into words what they’ve done for her health.”

I highly recommend you read the full story titled Four-Time Champions, and All Jacklyn’s Big Sisters. In addition, below is a great Big Ten Network video where Jacklyn tells her story..

2009 WNBA Draft: A journey back to my love for women’s basketball

I’ve played basketball my entire life.

Ever since I was little, l knew that I loved the game. From eighth grade all the way through graduation from my NCAA Division III college, I pretty much obsessed over rankings, new prospects and players of the week, desperately trying to mold my role somewhere in the middle of it.

I remember when the WNBA started in 1997. I was 12 years old. It was a really exciting time for women’s sports. I read books written by big names like Pat Summit and Nancy Lieberman, attended basketball camps regularly, and was a subscribed reader to Sports Illustrated for Women. I knew deep down that I wanted to be a part of the future of the game. So I worked very, very hard as a player. Read more

Male Coaches

I know what you’re thinking, what an odd title for a women’s sports blog!  What does it mean to have two male coaches in the women’s final? was featured this afternoon on the NCAA Double-A Zone blog.  The article opens restating the statistics released earlier this year by the NCAA in the Perceived Barriers Study, that we covered in Gender Barriers in Athletics.

Until reading this article I had not realized that this is just the second time in history that two male head coaches meet on the stage of the women’s final.  (the first time coming in 1988.)    

Now, I’m hoping that Marta Lawrence wrote this article just to get a rise out of people like me.  And if so, congratulations!  The questions asked really got me thinking, and caused me to react!  I want to make sure I am not misunderstood, I have had multiple good male coaches, and I know MANY good male coaches of female athletes.  I have nothing against men who coach women.  How many people are going to assume that Louisville and UConn met tonight in the National Champioinship game because they have male coaches?  How many people are going to belive that the Geno Auriemma and Jeff Walz  are more qualifed, more successful, more talented, than Pat Summit, C. Vivian Stringer, Tara VanDerveer, Sherri Coale, simply because they are men. 

So, does the game tonight work to reiterate the subconscious notion that men are better suited to coaching than women?

In one word: No.  

Do women still need to climb the gender equity hill or is tonight’s game an indication that we’ve moved to a post-gender time in women’s athletics?

1) It doesn’t bother me that the coach of the UConn Huskies and the Louisville Cardinals are men.  It doesn’t bother me that the top two women’s basketball teams in the country are coached by men.  We know the facts.  Only 42% of women’s college teams are coached by women.  In 1972, the birth of Title IX, 90% of women’s college teams were coached by women.  It upsets me that people will look at tonight and say “men are better suited to coaching than women.” 
2) Women definitely still need to climb the gender equity hill.  The worst thing that we can do as women, as leaders, and as mentors to young children, is to think that “we’ve moved to a post-gender time in women’s athletics.”  If we believe that, if we allow that thought to creep into our minds, we will lose everything our founding mothers fought for when Title IX was enacted. 

“There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I’m gonna to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb”

(I SWEAR I chose this quote before that little tribute to the women’s tournament…even if it’s sad to admit!)

David vs. Goliath: NCAA one step closer to its champion

As of last night, there are now two teams left in the greatest basketball tournament of the year: University of Connecticut Huskies and the Louisville Cardinals.

Yesterday, UConn seemed to easily handle Stanford, winning 83-64, and Louisville squeaked by Oklahoma, 61-59.

According to NCAA,

“Connecticut and Louisville have met before with both games coming out in the Huskies’ favor – a 93-65 victory during the regular season and a 75-36 win in the league tournament.”

Mechelle Voepel says Louisville will face the “Godzilla of a team in the national championship game.”

… The perfect way to describe UConn. Tuesday night’s  game is literally a David vs. Goliath match-up.

Of course, I’m rooting for David.

The game is being played tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8:30pm in St. Louis, Missouri. ESPN, whom I would call the biggest supporter of the women’s tournament, will be broadcasting the event live (not surprising).

If you’re looking on resources to read up on this game, I’d check out ESPN Women’s Basketball because they have (by far) the best coverage of what’s going on.

Here’s a list of the top online resources:

Web sites:
ESPN Women’s Basketball
NCAA.com women’s basketball March Madness Central
UConn Women’s Basketball
Louisville Women’s Basketball

Blogs:
ESPN Women’s Basketball Blog
NCAA Live Blogs
Women Talk Sports – basketball
Women’s Hoops Blog

Twitter:
@MechelleV
@RebeccaLobo
@WomenTalkSports
@NCAA
If you know of any more great resources, please be sure to comment. I’m happy to add them to my list.

WHOW

WHOW … Women Helping Other Women.

These were the opening words spoken by Judy Sweet at the NCAA Women’s Leadership Symposium in Boston, MA on March 20th and 21st.  (I apologize for the delay in this blog!)

Let me just start by saying there is no way that I can sum up the information shared over the course of these two days in the space of this blog, nor do I want to!  If you are a female athlete interested in collegiate athletics, then you MUST get yourself to one of these events and experience it for yourself.  Cheesey or not, this symposium changed my life!

Since, I’m not going to go into detail about the events of the symposium, I’m going to try to put into words what it did for me.  Two and a half months ago I posted a blog titled, Gender Barriers in Athletics.  At the time of this post I was feeling extremely discouraged in my career path.  I was wondering if I would ever break through the glass ceiling to find that dream job in college athletics.

After this symposium, I know that I will continue to do what I do, no matter how long it takes me to find that dream job!  The most valuable session in the symposium, for me, was Value Your Values.  I learned what it is that I love most about working in college athletics, and why I could never leave the field.

This symposium completely motivated me; I felt empowered to change the world when I left Boston, MA on Sunday, March 22nd.  I spent two days with 165 female – Athletic Directors, Coaches, Student-Athletes, etc. all working towards the same goal, all needing that same bit of inspiration, and all leaving feeling connected to each other.

NCAA, NACWAA, WLS, speakers/presenters, attendees:  THANK YOU!!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead

Practice makes Perfect

Uncharted waters for the Lady Vols. Tennessee suffered a first-ever, first round loss to Ball State 71-55 on Sunday. Tuesday afternoon, the women were back at Tennessee, and back on the court. Pat Summit discusses her reason for holding practice, how she plans to develop her young team, and of course her disappointment in the first round loss. The women can continue to practie until April 15th, as per NCAA rules.

Really just an amazing personal interview with Pat Summit. Watch this! I didn’t play much basketball, but I ALWAYS respected Pat Summit. She is the epitome of a strong female warrior, an amazing leader and coach, and extremely knowledgeable of the sport. She is obviously struggling with the loss and some of her younger players. It seems like she is dealing with some commitment issues from her freshmen, and maybe the effort they are not putting into the sport. It sounds like the next 3 weeks are going to be some of the most grueling and challenging practices Tennessee has had this season. Best of luck to her as she tries to get through to her team.

As a coach, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you want the victory more than your team does.

Former NCAA athletes killed in NY plane crash

This is awful…

Just read via an NCAA update e-mail that two former NCAA Division III athletes were killed in the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 last night in Buffalo, NY.

As a former Division III athlete who competed in basketball against Rowan University, this kind-of hits home for me. Also, I went to The College of New Jersey, which is right down the road from Princeton.

Even though I didn’t know either these ladies personally, my heart goes out to them, their families and their teammates. This is truly a tragedy, one that nobody likes to hear about.

From the NCAA…

Lorin Maurer, manager of the Athletic Friends program at Princeton and a former Rowan swimmer who served as an NCAA promotions and events intern during 2003-04.

Madeline “Maddy” Loftus, a former ice hockey student-athlete at Buffalo State and St. Mary’s (Minnesota), were reported as being among 50 victims of the Continental Airlines crash in Clarence Center, New York.

Maurer, 30, was an all-New Jersey Athletic Conference swimmer and team captain at Rowan. After that, she was a graduate student in sport management and a women’s administration intern at Florida before joining the NCAA branding and communications group as a promotions and events intern.

Loftus attended Buffalo State during her freshman and sophomore years, then transferred in 2004 to St. Mary’s, where she played her junior and senior seasons. She served as a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s student-athlete advisory committee in 2005-06, and was instrumental in starting the Cardinal Athletic Council, a student-athlete group at St. Mary’s.

On behalf of the entire women’s sports population who was raised and competed for the NCAA in New Jersey, I’d like to thank these women for their contribution to their sports.

Next Page »