Sports have been in my life for as long as I can remember. Seeing the change over time to promote women’s sports is amazing. I feel that UIS does a great job promoting both women’s and men’s sports equally. I am blessed to be a collegiate athlete and continue to play the sport that I love.

Being a female college athlete has taught me that consistency, trusting the process, and showing up on hard days can be rewarding. Sports have helped shape me into the person I am today and taught me many valuable lessons I will carry with me throughout my life. Sports have given me so many friendships, memories, and opportunities. I am so grateful to be part of such a great team and university and hope to leave a legacy that inspires the next generation of female athletes.

My experience as a college athlete has taught me so many valuable lessons that I will use for the rest of my life, including discipline, leadership, and selflessness. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do what I love at the collegiate level. My biggest piece of advice is to remember that playing sports is a privilege, not your purpose, and that while being an athlete is a great attribute, it does not define who you are.

Being a woman involved in college athletics has taught me that resilience isn’t loud or glamorous — it’s the quiet decision to show up again, even when yesterday hurt.

Being a woman in sports is one of the most challenging yet amazing experiences of my life, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is living in a constant paradox. We are expected to excel in the classroom, to compete with ambition and toughness on the field, and to be bubbly and kind to everyone else. This balancing act is difficult, but it allows female athletes everywhere to build tenacity and a sense of resilience that can't be manufactured anywhere else — and for that, I am grateful!

Being a female college athlete taught me that strength isn’t just physical. It’s showing up on hard days, balancing academics and sport, and believing in yourself even when you’re far from home. Sports didn’t just shape my body, they shaped who I am.

Playing sports and being a female college athlete has taught me so much about being confident in myself and working hard, resulting in success on the court while also giving me tools and skills I can transfer into all aspects of my life. I would encourage all girls to try sports and continue to push for female visibility!

As a young female college golfer competing in a male-dominated sport challenged me to grow in confidence and resilience. Every round shows that women also belong on the course!

Sports have brought me so many opportunities in life, and they have continued to open doors and allow me to create countless new friendships. Soccer has been a constant in my life since I was three and has taught me so much over the past 16 years. It has shown me how to support, lead, and push those around me, as well as how to work with a team and grow together. I am forever grateful for every team, every player, and every coach I have had the privilege of competing with. Being a female collegiate athlete has also shown me that I am so much more than my sport. It is not all about performance, but about how you balance all the other aspects of your life, because those are just as—if not more—important. It is okay to not always be serious and to have fun with it!

The opportunities that sports have provided me and other women is something that wasn’t even dreamt of only a few decades ago.  The excitement around women’s sports is at an all-time high. We talk about how basketball can help us become great moms, wives, businesspeople, or anything you aspire to be. The pursuit of growth and taking ownership in bettering yourself is invaluable in every part of life.

I am grateful and do not take lightly the opportunity to coach and mentor young women in a sport I am deeply passionate about. Volleyball has given me so much, both personally and professionally, and I love being able to pass some of that along to the next generation. I coach because I want to help young women navigate their collegiate years and learn how to succeed both on and off the court. Being involved in sports teaches you countless life lessons, often whether you want it to or not! My advice is to lean into the hard moments, give yourself grace when you make mistakes, and most importantly, have fun, and compete with everything you have!

I have so much gratitude for all the female athletes who paved the way for women and girls today. I also have so much excitement for the young girls out there that have so many opportunities ahead of them. It’s so fun to see our alumni who have left this program and are now amazing women, successful leaders, wonderful moms, and many who have gone to be coaches themselves. I know athletics has prepared them for any challenge life may bring. For me personally, there is nothing more rewarding than being around so many great young ladies each and every day. Female athletes bring the best energy and passion, and I’m lucky to get to work with a fun group of young ladies and dedicated coaches.

From competing as a college golfer to now coaching young women and walking alongside them in their journeys has been incredibly meaningful to me. Together, we’re growing the UIS women’s golf program and helping push women’s sports and competition forward.

I’m thankful for the women who fought for their dreams so I could chase mine—and I strive to do the same for the next generation of female leaders.

"Sports teach us excellent life skills: how to set and achieve goals, stay disciplined, and take the lead during important moments. These qualities lay the foundation for lifelong success. Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day!"

As a woman who is just building her career in athletics administration, I’m inspired by the courage and drive of our female student-athletes. Supporting them not only on the field or court, but in the classroom, and as leaders is one of the greatest honors of my role. To every young girl dreaming big: keep going. You belong here.

Being a college athlete was an incredibly empowering experience, one I carry with me every day now as an administrator. Working with student-athletes and young staff members who are growing in athletics is such an honor, and I love seeing them develop and succeed. At UIS, it’s exciting to witness growth across our department, from our new flag football program to track & field, the sport I competed in as a Prairie Star.

I am continually impressed by the depth of excellence among the women student-athletes in our program. They are team leaders, record setters, campus advocates, and active contributors to our institution and community. I am also fortunate to work with an exceptional group of women leaders—from senior administrators and coaching staff to athletics trainers—who strengthen our program every day. Collectively, they represent outstanding role models for the young women in our community.