Two hundred female students gathered in Bacon Cafeteria for the Women in Sports Lunch on March 19 as they listened to a panel of accomplished women in a variety of athletic fields.
“This event allows our female athletes to learn more about the wide range of opportunities for women in the business of sports,” said senior student committee member Grace Phillips. “The speakers this year emphasized the importance of pursuing passions, networking, and not allowing others to tell you what you can and cannot achieve.”
And the speakers certainly advised the group.
“Always dream big. Pursue opportunities,” stressed Carolyn O’Connell, Senior Associate Athletics Director at Loyola University Chicago. “Make it a point to educate yourself and learn from the best. Make sure that you network and have a relationship with people that are in the profession that you want to go into.”
Juliet Barnes, a Northwestern University Athletic Trainer and ETHS alum referenced the variety of fields that females can enter in the world of sports.
“There are a lot of fields that females can get into in the world of sports. Make sure that you are prepared to commit though,” explained Barnes. “Ultimately, it’s really about branching out and being an individual in college. Always network and interact with others. That goes a long way.”
Other panelists inspired the girls to really go above and beyond.
“Always look for ways to improve. When you remain stagnant, the world will pass you by. You can do anything if you want to,” said Linda Snyder, founder and Club Director of Energy Volleyball Club. “However, you need to be smart and look at it and evaluate it. Always love what you are doing and be as strong as you can be.”
After introducing themselves, Barnes, O’Connell, Snyder, along with Carrie Banks, Assistant Northwestern Women’s Basketball Coach, Kate Hedlin, sports journalist, Maria Sanchez, Northwestern University Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services and Student Development, and Toni Midderhoff Miller, Director of Brand Marketing for NorthShore Health System, all broke out into smaller sessions where students could really interact with the panelists, as girls were able to ask an abundance of questions.
All in all, the Women in Sports lunch served as a way for ETHS female athletes to envision a future in sports, whether it’s on the playing field or not.