USA Basketball’s Post

Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day! DYK that women who participated in sports in school are more likely to graduate from college? And according to an EY study, women increase their odds of landing leadership positions when they have a background in athletics. Learn more from National Today below. #WomeninSports #WomeninLeadership

⛔ In an alternate reality, Caitlin Clark's talent might never have come to fruition. In the realm of sports, bravery manifests in taking risks—attempting audacious shots, envisioning and executing unexpected passes, and singlehandedly elevating the level of play. It's essentially a declaration: "If you want to challenge me, bring your A-game every single minute." But Caitlin's bravery, for example, isn't solely innate; it's nurtured by her coaches, teammates, and family. Had they discouraged her from taking bold shots or attempting daring passes, the talented Caitlin Clark we know today wouldn't exist. 🔺 As someone who has been both a youth athlete and a coach, I've witnessed how young female athletes are often encouraged to "play it safe" and conform to expectations. I've seen the potential of great athletes dim because of society's inclination for girls to comply rather than excel. 👉 If we aspire to cultivate more athletes like Caitlin Clark, then as parents, coaches, and supporters, we must foster bravery in our young girls in sports. We should allow them to make mistakes, to continuously experiment, and to embrace the possibility of becoming heroes on the field. 🏆 Undoubtedly, women's sports will continue to break barriers and reach new heights. But to truly instigate change, we must do better. Let's empower girls to lead, to carve out new paths for the future of women's sports. #sportsbiz #sports #leadership #growth #empowerment

😍 7 out of 10 people watch women’s sports, as found in new research by PARITY | A Group 1001 Company and SurveyMonkey 😡 But 90% of all colleges in the US are not giving women athletes a fair share of opportunities, as reported by the schools themselves and confirmed by a new GAO report. 🌟 See how any college is treating women athletes and what you can do to accelerate the path to #genderequity at accelerateequity.net #collegesports #NCAA #womenssports #wbb 

Women We Admire: Tiffany Silver, Tiffany Silver, M.A. Title: Founder & CEO of She Sports Success Question: How have you impacted the lives of girls in Baltimore? Tiffany: Across 18 years of coaching, with 11 dedicated to molding high school girls’ basketball teams in Baltimore, my impact went beyond the game stats. While my win percentage soared at almost 90%, the real win was the college acceptance and attendance of every girl I coached—solidifying my proudest accomplishment. Heading up collegiate women’s basketball at various institutions, I made sure to bring the toughness, resilience, and hunger of Baltimore’s young women, which became the cornerstone of my coaching approach. Victories and record-setting moments were part of the game, but more significantly, I ensured the 100% graduation of my athletes, setting them on paths beyond the court. Returning to Baltimore after sideline coaching, I saw a gap, a chance to be a real and experienced tangible resource for young female athletes in the city. The real story is that, at each institution, over half of the top talents on my teams were recruited straight from Baltimore. Every new opportunity that unfolded in my coaching career was an extended invitation for the exceptional young women in Baltimore to carve their own path to success. She Sports Success was created to eliminate and alleviate barriers, while equipping young female athletes to define, create and sustain success in and through sports. How are you impacting #blackhistory on behalf of girls in our city? #blackhistorymonth #womeninsports #womenweadmire #shesportssuccess #womenleadingbaltimore

If you want to learn more about this amazing woman and member of my alma mater Howard University check out this new book of her writings edited by my friend, colleague, and fellow alumna Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Ph.D. Her Truth and Service: Lucy Diggs Slowe in Her Own Words https://a.co/d/1HlUQox

Even though it appears the Title IX athletics final rule has been shelved or rather delayed until further notice, Institutions of higher education can still be direct in their messaging when it comes to gender equity in athletics. Collegiate athletics present a myriad of challenges not unique to their group, but are heightened due to the dissimilar social strata they have against other student groups. Clearly, since "The athletics proposal garnered over 150,000 comments, compared to the more than 210,000 received by the broader rule--" this topic is important to many (K12Dive.com). Some may be reticent to receive an Athletics Rule that could be contradictory to some Title IX protections, but with what we know of student-athletes being 2-3x more likely to experience sexual violence no matter their division, I hope the delay does not last more than the estimated additional year. https://lnkd.in/eNf3fZbk

My earliest football memory dates back to my primary school days. I vividly recall watching the boys play during lunchtime while us girls were denied participation with the dismissive notion that football was exclusively for boys. Frustrated by this inequality, I voiced my concerns to a teacher who, thankfully, devised a brilliant solution. Implementing a rotating schedule, the girls were granted exclusive access to the football cage on designated days. As we enthusiastically played and showcased our skills, the boys observed from the sidelines, eventually extending invitations for joint games so desinated days were no longer required. This transformative experience not only ignited my lifelong passion for football but also highlighted the power of inclusive leadership. The teacher's innovative approach fostered unity, breaking down gender barriers and paving the way for enduring friendships and shared experiences. Over the next two decades, football remained a central aspect of my life, affording me opportunities to compete against formidable opponents and witness the burgeoning recognition of women's football on a global scale. Reflecting on this journey, I'm reminded of the profound impact one individual's actions can have in catalyzing positive change. As we celebrate progress in sports inclusivity, let's continue championing diversity and empowering future generations to pursue their passions unencumbered by societal norms. What memories do you have from your childhood that started change? #InclusiveSports #Empowerment #FootballMemories

🏆📚 **Can Being a Female Athlete Contribute to Your Success in the Classroom?** by Katelyn Sylvester 🤝 **Overarching Societal Benefits of Athletic Affiliation** From enhancing skills like teamwork and goal-setting to understanding the economic dynamics of sports, athletic involvement offers multifaceted benefits. 📈 **How Women Specifically Benefit from Sports… and How it Trickles to the Classroom** Female athletes often show greater independence and self-confidence. Their sports experience not only boosts their performance in male-dominated fields like science but also enhances their view on educational curriculums, especially in sciences by their senior year of high school. 🔬🏅 Empowered by their athletic successes, female students are poised to thrive in and reshape traditionally male-dominated industries. 🔗Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eYy8ZxuA

"Through sports, girls learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership and confidence." Women's Sports Foundation Girls drop out of sports at a rate 2-3 times higher than boys. We're committed to changing this narrative. We believe every girl deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of sports. Read the full WSF article here: https://ow.ly/B2MH50RT8pZ

Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!! Outside of the Residential Hall, I also dedicate a lot of my personal time to supporting Women in Sports as an Assistant Coach for the Rollins Women’s Basketball team. I want you to take the time to intentionally support women in sports. Did you know that girls are twice as likely to quit sports at the age of 14? Some stop due to lack of access (1.3mil fewer opportunities) while others quit due to social stigma. Specifically, women in sports are more likely to be discriminated based on real or perceived gender/sexual identity. There is also less funding driving women’s sports which impacts the venue and equipment they get to use. In 1972, women’s sports accounted for only 2 percent of athletic budgets, school’s averaged only 2 teams per school, and only 15 percent of college aged women played sports, even at the recreational level. While these numbers have drastically improved since Title IX was passed, inequity persists. So, next time you are considering watching your favorite college team, I hope you opt to watch the women play such as our Rollins Women’s Basketball team!