Invisible Women In Sport

A former track and field student-athlete, Oakes is now a highly accomplished professional with over 16 years of experience in athletic administration.  Her experiences span being a senior level administrator at a Division-I and Division-II institutions, Assistant Commissioner at one of the oldest and most successful NCAA Division-II conferences, and as an Assistant Director at the NCAA.  IWIS is giving you and opportunity to tap into Oakes' vast wealth of knowledge, networks, and experience in collegiate athletic administration.  Oakes is excited about sharing her journey and connecting with you.  You don't want to miss this episode. 

DR. RIVERA has mastered being a senior level athletic administrator, while being the mother of an early elementary age child.  She is a true mentor and role model for those women out there who question if it is possible to do both.  Look no further, ladies, DR. RIVERA has some answers to this age old challenge for women. DR. RIVERA has extensive experience at Power 5 Institutions with stints at Ohio State University and the University of Southern California (USC) prior to joining the Bruins staff.  Her areas of responsiblity span from student-athlete development, student-athlete support and academic services, Title IX compliance, governance, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.  She has received numerous honors and accolades including serving on the NCAA Student-Athlete Experience Committee, Board of Directors for the Collegiate Women In Sports Awards, one of 12 inaugural members of the LEAD1 Diversity Fellowship Program, and a receipient of the Next Level Female Executive Scholarship to attend the 2021 Collegiate Athletic Leadership Symposium (CALS). DR. RIVERA earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Higher Education Administration at Ohio State University in August 2004 where her dissertation focused on the identification of key factors student-athletes perceived to be important to the college student-athlete retention process. 

Underrepresented in athletic administration, WONG, an Asian-American woman, takes great pride in her accomplishments and contributions to sports administration.  Her varied experiences spans athletic training, business operations, marketing and partner services, event management, travel operations, and sport supervision.  These experiences have laid the foundation for WONG's current role with the PAC-12 Conference. In addition, WONG sits on the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association's (MOAA) National Board as the Chair of the membership committee.  Recently, WONG was named to the MOAA Executive Board.  In addition, she has been appointed to the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. 

JOCELYN received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Central Florida (UCF).  She is a DeVos Sports Business Management alum and a member of one of UCF's most successful women's Track and Field seasons.  JOCELYN also holds UCF Track and Field records (400M (indoor), Distance Medley (indoor), and 4x400 relay) and All-American honors. With LA Tech Athletics, JOCELYN serves as the lead on special projects assigned by the Athletics Director, coordinates the day-to-day operations of the executive team, employee engagement initiatives for the athletics department, and much more.  JOCELYN has served in the Student-Athlete Development department at Mississippi State University and as an Academic Advisor for UCF Athletics.    

TWEEDY is a product of HBCU education and has a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion.  She has experienced great success as a senior level athletic administrator at NCAA Division III institutions, and the many roles that are required as a Division III administrator.  TWEEDY's leadership has been instrumental in enhancing department policies around student-athlete well-being and best practices to serve the LGBTQ population.  She also serves on multiple committees within the community that foster equity of minority athletic administrators and coaches, student-athlete leadership and well-being and LGBTQ rights. TWEEDY embodies unwavering positive energy and ensures to promote diversity and inclusion in all her work. TWEEDY received the Rising Star Award sponsored by the Women Leaders in College Sports organization in 2017.  She is also an active member of the Women Leaders in College Sports Organization (WLCS) and serves as a member of Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA).

You get the opportunity to have an intimate conversation with a first-generation Latina college graduate, who happens to also be a Vice President at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).  Where else can you have such an experience?  Not to mention, CAMPOS has many wonderful experiences to share about her journey as an athletic administrator.  Did you know, at one point in her career, CAMPOS was the youngest female, Division I, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics in the country? CAMPOS has been recognized by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 (2017), built $41+ million dollar athletic facilities, negotiated UTSA as host institution for past and future NCAA basketball final four tournaments (both men and women), sits on multiple NCAA councils and committees, all while being a proud wife and mother. SEE US NOW!

MOINPOUR's non-traditional path into the sports industry is one you do not want to miss.  She is a first-generation Iranian-American with a background that is not particularly sports related.  As  Director of Marketing and Events for the Pac-12 Conference, her purview encompasses all aspects of strategic marketing, brand management and event production for Pac-12 championships and initiatives. MOINPOUR has a passion for social justice issues.  She has been heavily involved in the conference's social justice/anti-racism efforts internally and externally to support, highlight, and amplify the work being done by all PAC-12 member institutions. In the pandemic year, without fans attending conference events, MOINPOUR had an opportunity to really focus on the student-athlete experience and the internal culture at the Pac-12 Conference & Networks.  The Pac-12 is a best practices conference when it comes to the student-athlete experience, and MOINPOUR has been an instrumental player in setting that foundation for the conference's student-athletes.    SEE US NOW!

Prior to her professorship, DR. WOODSON-SMITH was a Division I basketball student-athlete at James Madison University for three years, while consistently suffering through three hip fractures and chronic severe osteoarthritis. However, post college, she received an invite to try out for the American Basketball League (ABL) and also tried out for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). In 2004, DR. WOODSON-SMITH was selected as a member of the USA Paralympic women's wheelchair basketball team. She participated on the 2006 World Cup team (Silver), 2010 World Cup team (Gold), 2011 Parapan American team (Gold) and finished her career on the 2012 U.S. Paralympic team (4th).  Currently, DR. WOODSON-SMITH is on the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Board of Directors as the Vice Chair of the Athlete Advisory Council.  She is a member of the Move United Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, the largest Disability Sport Organization in the U.S., and she serves as a Sports Envoy for the U.S. Department of State.  This just names a few of her accomplishments and roles. SEE US NOW!

GRIFFIN is the product of a historical black college and university (HBCU) education. She received her bachelor's degree from Delaware State University, majoring in sport management, and dual master's degrees (MBA and Sports Business Management) from the University of Central Florida's DeVos Sports Business Management Program.  GRIFFIN has made Central Florida her home and high volume sports event management her passion. With GO Sports, GRIFFIN and her team strategically solicit professional, collegiate and youth sports events that generate economic impact in the Greater Orlando area.  GRIFFIN manages large scale youth tournaments, high school state championships and NCAA national championships. Recently, GRIFFIN was appointed as chair of the Greater Orlando Youth Sports Task Force, facilitating the efforts of over 40 regional leaders in addressing key issues facing youth participation in organized sports.   SEE US NOW!

As Director of Academic and Membership Affairs at the NCAA, NGUYEN works directly with senior level faculty and athletic administrators at NCAA Division I instituions, including presidents, athletic directors, and faculty athletic representatives.  In this role, NGUYEN develops and implements strategies, policies and legislation to increase the academic success of Division I student-athletes. NGUYEN is a member of many associations including Women Leader's In College Sports, National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC), and and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association to name a few.  She is the recipient Women Leaders in College Sports' Judith Sweet Commitment Award (2013) and was a NCAA President's Award Finalist in 2013.   SEE US NOW!

LATRICE SALES, Director of Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation, Winning In Life Programs.  Latrice is a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. Her dissertation research is focused on evaluating the effectiveness of gender equity in sport programs on providing athletics opportunities for Black women and women of color.  As a former collegiate track and field athlete, Latrice has developed a career long passion for physical education, sport, and women's athletics.  She has supported healthy and safe participation in youth and collegiate athletics through her role as associate director of the NCAA Sport Science Institute.  At this stage in her career, find out what life is like working directly with and for the legendary, Jackie Joyner Kersee.   SEE US NOW! 

At the time of her interview, Darrice Griffin, was the Deputy Director of Administration at the University of Georgia Athletics Association.  Since that time, she has been promoted as the Senior Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Georgia. Griffin is a former high profile basketball player at Texas Tech University, turned NCAA Division-I athletic administrator has many stories and experiences to share.  Griffin gives us some insight what it was like to play collegiate basketball at the same institution where her mother was a basketball star and with a sibling at a highly ranked program.  Griffin also has many insights to share about being a woman of color athletic administrator at several high profile Division-I institutions.  Hear what Griffin has to say about her preparation, networks, and how to persevere through challenges that only women of color face in athletic administration.  HEAR HER STORY! Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program Produced by Garnett L. Overby III, Institute For Sport & Social Justice “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Traci Green is the first African-American woman to be a head coach of an athletic team at Harvard University.  Green is also the first African-American coach of any gender to win an Ivy League title.   With the background as former NCAA National Champion as a tennis player at the University of Florida and being the daughter of trailblazer, Tina Sloan-Green, Green has a vast amount of experiences to draw upon when discussing the challenges of women of color in sport.  HEAR HER STORY! Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program Produced by Garnett L. Overby III, Institute For Sport & Social Justice “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”  

Trailblazer, Tina Sloan-Green, co-founder of the Black Women In Sports Foundation joins us today.  Sloan-Green is the first African-American to play on the U.S. Women's National Field Hockey Team, first African-American to coach a women's college lacrosse team (Temple Owls), and the first African-American to win a national championship in women's college lacrosse (Temple Owls, 1982 and 1984), among other "first" in her life.   Sloan-Green takes us back to her early athletic career and shares some of her most youthful memories.  She also talks about the experiences of being the "first" African-American woman, but her passion was to not be the "only" African-American woman.  Sloan-Green shares some insightful thoughts about today's sports mentality, needed opportunities for urban children of color in sports, and the current "pay to play" sports model.  She also shares some wisdom about the current state of racial issues plaguing America.   Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program Produced by Garnett L. Overby III, Institute For Sport & Social Justice “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Kelly Mehrtens, at the time of her interview was the Managing Director of The Trust (NFLPA – NFL Players Association). Since that time, she has been promoted to the Executive Director of The Trust. Mehrtens is a former senior level athletic administrator at several NCAA Division I, Power 5 conference institutions. She discuss the transition from the Power 5 environment to The Trust, which provides support and resources to NFL players transitioning out of football. Mehrtens gives us a lot of insight on how The Trust is using its resources to assist and support NFL players through racial injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mehrtens takes us back to her early years of discovering sports before she settles on track and field. “It takes a village,” is more than just family and close friends assisting in her growth and success. For Mehrtens, it is also the guidance, the mentorships, and the bridge builders who paved the path for her success. Mehrtens also shares some very sound advise for young women who have started or considering a career in athletics. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program Produced by Garnett L. Overby III, Institute For Sport & Social Justice “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Reshauna Cobb, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Director of Academic and Membership Affairs.  Reshauna gives us an update from the last time we spoke to her in 2018.  In this episode, Reshauna provides insight about how she was able to climb the ranks in NCAA to be a current Director.  Within this leadership role, Reshauna discusses the importance of communication, relationship building, and success through empowering others.  This episode is one of our more humorous episodes as Reshauna and Tolu (host) share laughs about their former athletic life, dealing with difficult people, and much more.  Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program Produced by Garnett L. Overby III, Institute For Sport & Social Justice “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak is the Head Coach, Women’s Soccer, University of Central Florida (UCF). Tiffany gives us an update from the last time we spoke with her in 2018. In this episode, Tiffany reveals her personal challenges with the racial tension that the country is experiencing now. She admits that she has had to spend some personal time in reflection that has led her to understand that her level of awareness is not where it should be. As a coach and leader, she has made it a point to educate herself, as well as spend quality time with her team to allow them the freedom and space to discuss the issues. Tiffany talks about how her relationship with her husband, who happens to be her assistant coach, has helped her be successful as a Division I coach. Her husband helps her to balance her coaching, marriage, and parental responsibilities. She understands that her unique relationship with her husband has safeguarded her from the more common challenges that other women coaches face. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program. “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

CIAA Commissioner, Jacqie McWilliams gives us an update from that last time we spoke with her in 2018. In this episode, Jacqie opens up about how her faith has been very instrumental in her growth, development, and success. She shares with us how she has been graceful in her interactions with others because people are looking for ways to see her in a negative perspective. Jacqie challenges the reasons why diversity and inclusion (D & I) have to been a focal point in sport and society. She understands the importance and necessity of D & I, but as Commissioner of the CIAA, she does not recognize CIAA officers for their focus and accomplishments in D & I. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program. “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Jasmine Green gives us an update from that last time we spoke with her in 2018. In this episode, Jasmine shares how her mother, Hurricane Katrina, and the LSU Women’s Basketball program are her role models and instrumental in shaping her perspectives. It was through these women that Jasmine has built Harry S. Truman into a recognizable “brand” in Chicago. Jasmine challenges us to “Tap into your greatness” everyday. Jasmine answers many questions about the challenges of being a young woman leader of color, advise how to turn challenges into opportunities, and how to enjoy the journey of life as a woman of color. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program. “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Amy Huchthausen gives us an update from that last time we spoke with her in 2018. She is now in her ninth year as Commissioner of the America East Conference. In this episode, Amy shares with us her journey from being adopted, to being a student-athlete, and rising to the position of being Commissioner. It was through sports that Amy learned many transferable skills to allow her to be successful in her professional career. Many times in her career, she has been overlooked and it is not uncommon for her to correct stereotypes and remind people that she is “The Commissioner.” In this episode, Amy challenges women to stop making excuses for their gender and harness the power within to achieve that which anyone can achieve, despite gender. This cycle creates internal barriers for women to advance in senior level management positions.     Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program. “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”  

Today’s guests are a mother-daughter duo, Tina Sloan-Green and Traci Green. Sloan-Green is the co-founder of Black Women’s Sports Foundation (BWSF), former Head Coach, Women’s Lacrosse at Temple University, International Sports Hall of Fame Member, and the 1st African-American to play on the USA Women’s Lacrosse Team. Green, Sloan-Green’s daughter, is currently the Head Coach, Women’s Tennis at Harvard University. Green is the 1st African-American coach in Harvard University history to win a national championship in any sport. Together, these amazing women take us through their journey of struggle, commitment, perseverance, and celebration in the world of sport. They will take you back to the days of segregation, life as a barrier breaker and being “THE FIRST,” and thriving in a world of non-traditional sports for African-Americans; field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis. These women display a tremendous amount of courage, passion, and fortitude as they share their stories about the struggle of being a trailblazer, venturing into the unknown, celebrating hard fought victories, and preparing the next generations for their future. Hear their story! Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guests are a mother-daughter duo, Tina Sloan-Green and Traci Green. Sloan-Green is the co-founder of Black Women’s Sports Foundation (BWSF), former Head Coach, Women’s Lacrosse at Temple University, International Sports Hall of Fame Member, and the 1st African-American to play on the USA Women’s Lacrosse Team.  Green, Sloan-Green’s daughter, is currently the Head Coach, Women’s Tennis at Harvard University. Green is the 1st African-American coach in Harvard University history to win a national championship in any sport. Together, these amazing women take us through their journey of struggle, commitment, perseverance, and celebration in the world of sport. They will take you back to the days of segregation, life as a barrier breaker and being “THE FIRST,” and thriving in a world of non-traditional sports for African-Americans; field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis. These women display a tremendous amount of courage, passion, and fortitude as they share their stories about the struggle of being a trailblazer, venturing into the unknown, celebrating hard fought victories, and preparing the next generations for their future.  Hear their story!    Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ).  Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Kelly Mehrtens. Mehrtens is the Managing Director of The Trust an NFL Player’s Association program that assist NFL players with transition after their NFL careers have ended. She is a former collegiate student-athlete under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) governing body and an international track and field athlete.  Mehrtens spent 25 years as a collegiate athletic administrator at six Division I NCAA institutions, including being the Director of Athletics at UNC Wilmington, and playing a vital role in the University of Maryland’s transition into the Big Ten Conference.  Mehrtens, a native Floridian, credits her faith-based family structure and sports as the catalyst that allowed her, in her youth, to successfully navigate through deep Southern traditions and mentalities during the Civil Rights Movement.  Mehrtens also discusses the challenges that collegiate women administrators have in obtaining skill sets in finance, fundraising, and “football” governance versus being pigeon holed in compliance and academic development positions.  She is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion and post-athletic transition development.  Hear her story.  Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer having appeared on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now! – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Kelly Mehrtens. Mehrtens is the Managing Director of The Trust an NFL Player’s Association program that assist NFL players with transition after their NFL careers have ended. She is a former collegiate student-athlete under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) governing body and an international track and field athlete. Mehrtens spent 25 years as a collegiate athletic administrator at six Division I NCAA institutions, including being the Director of Athletics at UNC Wilmington, and playing a vital role in the University of Maryland’s transition into the Big Ten Conference. Mehrtens, a native Floridian, credits her faith-based family structure and sports as the catalyst that allowed her, in her youth, to successfully navigate through deep Southern traditions and mentalities during the Civil Rights Movement. Mehrtens also discusses the challenges that collegiate women administrators have in obtaining skill sets in finance, fundraising, and “football” governance versus being pigeon holed in compliance and academic development positions. She is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion and post-athletic transition development. Hear her story. Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer having appeared on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now! – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Jasmine Green. Green is the Director of Intercollegiate and Intramural Athletics at Harry S. Truman College (Chicago). Green is a first generation college graduate that has the love of a mother and two older sisters as role models that helped fuel her passion for success. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana and LSU alumna, Green has been exposed to the dynamics and intricacies of many cultures, as well as the impact of how Hurricane Katrina has influenced her perspective.  Green talks about her decision to step away from being a young NCAA administrator to take on an athletic leadership role at a community college in Chicago, Illinois. Athletics has provided Green with many opportunities to avoid the stigma of being a “product of her society,” of which Green says she found freedom and liberation to excel as an African-American woman. It is now her desire to be a role model to other student-athletes and give them this same sense of freedom and liberation. Also, Green discusses the importance of “branding” herself in collegiate athletics and the influences that African-America women mentors have on her “branding” process. Hear her story.  Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ).  Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer having appeared on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Darrice Griffin. Griffin is Deputy Director of Athletic Administration at the University of Georgia. A former NCAA Division I basketball player at Texas Tech University, Griffin shares her experiences of growing up in small town Texas to a teenage mother.  She talks about the “village” of women – mother, aunts, and grandmother – that daily modeled and taught her that being a strong black woman meant being focused, persistent, and persevering through all challenges. Some of the early messages she received from her village are, “You have to be ten times better than everyone else.”  “You have to be better and you cannot take a day off. . . and you will have your opportunities.” Griffin’s young career has been filled with social activism for gender equality and diversity and inclusion issues. She feels that she has an obligation within her realm of influence in the athletic world to advocate for diversity and inclusion issues. Griffin talks about how there are regional and institutional differences on how diversity and inclusion is perceived and accepted or rejected. She advises young professionals that having advocates and sponsors is just as important, if not more important, as having mentors. Griffin defines the difference between mentors, advocates, and sponsors.  Hear her story.     Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer having appeared on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport” 

Today’s guest is Consandria Walker-Hall.  Walker-Hall is the Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston).  She was just named the 2018 NCAA Women’s Division III National Coach of the Year in her sport.  Walker-Hall also works as an adjunct professor at Fisher College.  A native of Jamaica, Walker-Hall briefly describes her migration to America, the culture shock, and how sport helped her adjust to a new life.      Walker-Hall learned early in life, from grandmother, mother, aunts and Jamaican heritage, that a woman can do anything.  Hired as the head coach right out of college, Walker-Hall talks about the struggles of being a young coach and a black female.  At one point in her career, she talks about trying to change herself to be accepted, but later she realized that it is nothing wrong with her. Walker-Hall is a mother and coach achieving at a high level with a insufficient budget compared to her Division I and II counterparts.  Hear her story.  Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer having appeared on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak.  Sahaydak is the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Central Florida.  As a youth, Sahaydak had an obsession of performing in the Olympics and winning gold medals.  Her dreams came true, as she was a member of the 1996 USA Women’s Soccer Team that took gold in Atlanta.  Her parents were strong role models and supporters in her quest to be an elite athlete, however, with her mother being from the Philippines, women in sports was a new experience for her mother.  Sahaydak talks about her struggles with questioning her athletic abilities and feeling like she did not “belong” on the USA Women’s National Team.  Her coaches, teammates, and supporters confirmed her “belonging” on the field and later encouraged her to go into coaching.  Coaching has been a dream come true for Sahaydak and an opportunity to encourage and confirm for other women that they “belong.”  Hear her story. Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer having appeared on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.”  “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Reshauna Cobb.  Cobb is the Director of Academic and Membership Affairs with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  As a youth, she was on the first team from the South to compete in national double-dutch jump roping tours and competitions.  Her father was her first role model and a surrogate dad and role model to many of her teammates and childhood friends.  Cobb’s journey with collegiate athletics began as an athletic trainer at Clemson University.  Here is where Cobb really begin to understand the intricacies of how an organization functions and that experience has helped her excel in her career. Cobb does not shy away from sharing her opinions about NCAA policies and legislation.  She discusses concerns about “Bylaw 14,” which establishes academic eligibility, concerns about how NCAA legislation can impact different socioeconomic communities, and the NCAA’s challenge to legislate issues on amateurism and social media usage.  As a “seasoned” professional, Cobb feels compelled to never be the only person “in the room;” she must bring (mentor) another person of color into “the room” with her.  She would like to see more women and women of color in decision-making positions in athletics.  “We won’t give up.  We’re not going to stop.” Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Peggy Davis.  Davis is the Director of Athletics at Virginia State University.  From as early as childhood, playing basketball in the streets with the boys, Davis was destined to have a strong influence and impact in the world of college athletics.  During her years as a collegiate basketball player, Davis learned that constructive criticism should not be taken as a personal attack, but as an opportunity or a tool for achieving excellence.  Hear how Davis “invested in her career” by commuting three hours round trip to pursue an advance degree or why she turned down a conference commissioner position.  Davis has a passion for mentoring student-athletes and aiding them in achieving their goals.  She offers sound advice on the importance of developing good listening skills, how to always make a positive impact, why dressing appropriately is extremely important, and how to deal with intense challenges as a woman of color.  “It’s not enough to be in the room.  You need to be seen and heard. . .”  - Peggy Davis Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Etienne Thomas.  Thomas is the Associate Athletics Director of Student Life at the University of Kansas. Her unique story in the world of athletics did not begin in a gym or on a field.  Thomas has a law background and her first connection with athletics was as a volunteer trainer at North Carolina Central University.  Thomas has a passion for diversity and inclusion. She shares her experiences of confronting prejudice and bias as early as elementary school, helping people come to the realization that their unconscious bias is real and how it can be addressed moving forward, and how Kansas Athletics positively practices diversity and inclusion for staff and student-athletes. Thomas chronicles the mentors and supporters that have helped shape her career and daily provide her with feedback, love, and balance.  Clearly, the center of her strength is family and the cohort of women mentors and supporters that “fit” comfortably in her life.  Hear Etienne Thomas’ story. Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Jacqie McWilliams.  McWilliams is Commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) the oldest Historical Black College & University (HBCU) athletic conference in the country.  McWilliams’ family background is rooted in military disciplines, which allowed her to become a dual sport NCAA champion and rise to become the leader of the CIAA during a time when the conference was nearly in three-quarters of a million-dollar deficit.  Spiritually focused, McWilliams’ perseverance, humility, organization skills, and resilience helped her revive the CIAA into a strong revenue generating and proud alumni focused conference.     McWilliams shares her stories about her dream job, how she addresses her fears, and how she has been successful in the face of divorce, health issues, and being a single mother. She has an acronym on FOCUS that you do not want to miss.  Hear Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams’ story. Produced by the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ). Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Christina Roybal.  Christina is the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sports Administration and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Northern Iowa.  As a first generation, Latina college graduate, Christina shares experiences about overcoming family criticism about her career choice to now being a role model for the younger generation in her family. Family, as a wife and mother, has not always been readily acceptable by her superiors.  In some of her professional roles, Christina has had to strategically balance how to talk about and introduce her family to her colleagues while preserving their confidence that she will have the time and focus to do her job. Christina also shares her struggles with dealing with Latino stereotypes, female stereotypes, racial slurs, and being offered positions no one wants.  Early in her career, Christina found herself concerned about saying “no” to requests and projects because she feared that would hinder her ability to advance as a woman.  Hear Christina’s story. Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Amy Huchthausen is in her seventh year as Commissioner of the America East Conference.  Amy shares with us the experience of being an pioneer for Asian-American woman in collegiate athletic administration. Rarely is she in the room with other Asian-American women athletic administrators or coaches.  Many times in her career, she has been overlooked and it is not uncommon for her to correct stereotypes and remind people that she is “The Commissioner.” Amy discusses the pathways that women of color are commonly and consistently led to pursue are pathways of compliance, academic services, and life skills.  This cycle creates barriers for women to advance in senior level management positions because they lack revenue-generating experience.        Hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.”  “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”

Today’s guest is Delise O’Meally, Executive Director, Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ).  Delise is excited to introduce the inspiration and creation of this new podcast sponsored and produced by the ISSJ. Delise gives us a glimpse into her story of being a woman of color trying to climb the ladder of success as an athletic administrator.  Her unique story starts with growing up in Jamaica, moving to the big city of New York, on to college as a collegiate tennis player, a young professional with the NCAA, and currently as Executive Director of a national non-profit organization.    This interview is hosted by Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflin’s annual series, “The Best American Sports Writing.” “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”