By Logan Moyer, Sports Editor and Abby MacMillan, Editor-in-Chief
In a male-dominated field like sports, it’s imperative that girls have female role models to look up to.
That’s why ever since 1987, every Wednesday during the first week of February has been known as National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
“Being a woman in sports also means being a positive role model and showing future generations that anything is possible if you work hard,” said Jenna Horning, vice president of the Susquehanna AWSM (Association for Women in Sports Media) chapter.
From Feb. 4 to Feb. 10, Susquehanna’s AWSM chapter held their inaugural AWSM week. As part of the festivities, the broadcast for Wednesday’s women’s basketball game against Lycoming was produced and called exclusively by women.
Additionally, the weekly “Coach’s Corner” and “Sports Spotlight” episodes were filmed by an entirely female crew, highlighting SU swimming & diving head coach Rachel Drosdick-Sigafoos and women’s track & field record holder Margaret Boyer as guests.
“This is the first time in Susquehanna history that there will be broadcast productions produced by an all-female crew, and I (was) super excited to participate in these big moments,” said Alicia Whisman, treasurer of SU’s AWSM chapter.
Susquehanna is the smallest institution, and one of only two NCAA Division III institutions, to have its own AWSM chapter. This makes it even more impressive that SU’s chapter was named the student chapter of the year in 2023.
“Susquehanna has been an extremely active student chapter that has brought in a wide range of guest speakers during Zoom and in-person meetings; hosted a volleyball tournament, bake sale and T-shirt sale; and spotlights members on its social media channels,” said Iliana Limón Romero, AWSM president and Los Angeles Times assistant managing sports editor.
SU’s AWSM chapter exists to promote the growth & advancement of women in sports media. According to ESPN, 83.3% of print sports editors in 2021 were men. AWSM provides opportunities for women to learn and feel empowered.
“I think one of the hardships of being a woman in sports media is having the confidence to walk into a room that you know will be predominantly men,” Whisman said. “It is easy to be looked down upon because you are a woman in a male dominated industry, and it can be difficult to maintain the positive mindset that gives you the confidence to do what you love.”
“Be a woman in sports media is no easy feat,” added Horning. “I have faced various negative comments from people questioning my dreams, my abilities, and my knowledge.”
A field trip to Wilkes-Barre’s Mohegan Sun Arena for Monster Jam Truck Series’ Arena Championship East event and Saturday’s women’s basketball game against Scranton will close out AWSM’s inaugural week-long event.
“As a member of AWSM, I am excited to see how this week can help our chapter grow and influence young women all around campus,” Horning said.”
Anybody, regardless of gender or field of academic pursuit, is free to attend AWSM meetings. Anybody interested in joining AWSM should contact SU AWSM president Abby MacMillan (macmillana@susqu.edu) or SU AWSM faculty advisor David Kaszuba (kaszuba@susqu.edu).