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It took a special moment in history the year after Title IX became law—Billie Jean King defeating former Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973—to show the world that women athletes are, and always will be, just as exciting and competitive as men. Meanwhile, at the collegiate level, men receive 2 million more in athletic financial aid and 60,000 additional sport opportunities compared to women. The opportunity gap at all levels disproportionately impacts athletes who look like us—BIPOC girls and women and those with disabilities.

billie jean king holding trophy

Bettmann//Getty Images
As the mental health crisis continues to surge and obesity rates steadily climb in America, these findings are a North Star. Because when girls play sport at a young age, they develop healthy habits that will follow them into adulthood, empowering them to live healthier, more enriched lives. Sports participation is also directly related to a more positive attitude toward schoolwork, improved academic performance, and higher aspirations to earn a college degree and post-college education specialization, a 2018 report from the Women’s Sports Foundation found.

These findings show that girls do not have to go on to play in college or professionally to learn to lead as teachers, doctors, lawyers, legislators, business owners, or whatever profession they choose to pursue. And when strong, well-equipped leaders enter the workforce, the economy thrives and society benefits.Title IX’s seismic impact on society and culture is undeniable. But we must keep pushing forward for it to live up to its full promise, because we know it does not just correlate to girls’ and women’s success in sport—it fuels women’s leadership.Scout Bassett is the President of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Bassett is a Paralympic track and field athlete who is dedicated to breaking down barriers that prevent girls and women with disabilities from sport participation.

Today there are 3 million additional high school sport opportunities for girls that didn’t exist pre-Title IX, according to the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), a nonprofit founded by King for which we proudly serve as board members. But girls in every state are provided proportionally less access to athletic participation, missing out on over 1 million opportunities compared to boys, according to data reported by the National Federation of State High School Associations. And girls in high school have not yet reached the same level of participation boys had in 1972. (That year, more than 3.6 million boys participated in high school sports. Right now, 3.4 million girls participate). Gabby Thomas is a member of the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Thomas is an Olympic track and field athlete who is an advocate for equal access and opportunity for girls and women in sport and encourages BIPOC girls to pursue careers in STEM.

scout bassett wsf

Adam Reist & Women’s Sports Foundation
Soon, everyone around the globe will understand what we know to be true: Investing in girls’ and women’s sports is the greatest way to positively impact the future.

This Women’s History Month, we ask you to join us in celebrating the monumental moments being seen across women’s sports thanks to Title IX. When girls play, they lead—and we all win. WSF President Scout Bassett at an event celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day.If fueling a vibrant leadership pipeline is not enough to convince you, the preventative health benefits should. WSF research continuously finds that sport, especially when played at the youth level, sets us up to thrive throughout our lifetimes. Rates of mental health disorders are 1.5 to 2.5 times lower for girls who play sports compared to those who have never played, and moderate-to-high levels of depression and anxiety are reported with less frequency. Sport also helps prevent obesity and related diseases, yet only 24 percent of children ages six to 17 are meeting the recommended 60 minutes of moderate daily exercise, according to the National Library of Medicine.

gabby thomas wsf

Courtesy of Gabby Thomas
Billie Jean King celebrates after winning the Battle of the Sexes.

The data is clear. Sport is a must-have for all girls and women, and it is vital for us all to work together to advocate for greater Title IX awareness and compliance, while investing in all levels of the game—from youth to collegiate to elite.WSF’s Play to Lead research revealed 67 percent of women believe they have carried lessons from sport into adulthood. Roughly three in four women say they learned fundamental leadership skills like teamwork, 53 percent say it taught them to learn from mistakes, and 51 percent said it taught them to better handle pressure. All of these things will help them become strong leaders in their schools, workplaces, and communities. This research also illuminated that 71 percent of women who had played youth sports and also held a formal leadership role as an adult held titles like Manager, Director, President, or C-suite executive.WSF Trustee Gabby Thomas inspires the next generation of women in sport. What does the future hold for women’s sports? As elite women athletes, we have been asked that question countless times. Though we may not have a crystal ball, we believe the slow-burning revolution across the women’s sports landscape is leading to a universal truth: investing in girls’ and women’s sports is the greatest way to positively impact society’s future.The powerful evolution of women’s sports is in full gear. We must keep fighting to level the playing field so girls and women can continue to smash records, shatter glass ceilings, reach historic media-rights deals, and sign multi-million dollar contracts. This includes enforcing Title IX at all levels of education to promote fairness and equality in girls’ and women’s sports opportunities. It also means buying tickets to a local women’s sports game, wearing your favorite player’s jersey, or even volunteering to coach or mentor young athletes in your community.

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Men’s Track and Field Opens Season at Suffolk with Several Strong Performances

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December 7, 2025

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BOSTON, Mass. – The Bentley men’s track and field team began the 2025-26 indoor season at the Suffolk Relays on Saturday and had several strong performances.

Sophomore Michael Eddy won the one mile with a time of 4:32.97 which was almost three seconds better than the second place runner.

Senior Ryan Orr was second in the 800 at 1:56.07. Bentley had three runners in the top-five with William Reiser fourth and Anthony Cronin fifth.

The long distance races saw two Bentley runners have top-three finishes. Steven D’Alessandro was second in the 5000 (15:04.94) and Jeff Warnock was third in the 3000 (9:27.24).

In the field events, Donald Dumont was second in the long jump.

 



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Head Volleyball Coach in Hays, KS for Fort Hays State University

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December 7, 2025

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Details

Posted: 07-Dec-25

Location: Hays, Kansas

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Coaching

Coaching – Volleyball

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

Required Education:

4 Year Degree

Organize, develop, recruit and administer all functions of a D-II Women’s Volleyball program funded for national success.


Volleyball staff includes additional positions for a Full-time Assistant (w/ benefits) and Graduate Assistant.


Fundamental duties include, but are not limited to, coaching, recruitment of student-athletes, commitment to academic and athletic success of student-athletes, as well as student-athlete development, budget and scholarship management, and supervision of support staff. The Head Coach will manage day-to-day team operations, practice/game preparation, and team travel. This position collaborates with intercollegiate athletics staff members, Sports Medicine, academic support, compliance, and institutional partners. The Head Coach must appropriately represent the team, department, and University in public and media appearances. This position reports directly to the Director of Athletics.

  1. Provides leadership, organization, and supervision for all aspects of the women’s volleyball program.
  2. Supervises student-athletes during practices and games, observing and evaluating performance and demonstrating proper techniques.
  3. Hire, supervise, evaluate, and mentor full-time, graduate assistant, and student staff.
  4. Supports and monitors the academic performance of student-athletes in conjunction with the compliance and academic support staff.
  5. Design and implement the overall program recruiting strategy – identification, evaluation, recruitment, and retention of prospective student-athletes. 
  6. Direct oversight and management of the program’s finances and administration of athletic scholarships.
  7. Manages the women’s volleyball program within the parameters of the approved operating budget.
  8. Develops and engages in impactful fundraising activities in conjunction with the Athletics’ External Relations staff as needed.
  9. Represents the university and women’s volleyball program at professional meetings, alumni events, University Foundation events, and other events as necessary.
  10. Enhances the student-athlete experience through team expectations, personal development, and opportunities, such as but not limited to community service, team building, leadership development, etc.
  11. Assists in directing or directs camps and clinics.
  12.  Responsible for scheduling of non-conference competitions and practices, team and recruiting travel arrangements, preseason arrangements, and student-athlete meetings.
  13. Attends and participates in scheduled compliance seminars and complies with all  Athletic Department efforts to monitor compliance with NCAA regulations.
  14. Responsible for compliance with NCAA, MIAA, and institutional rules and regulations, ensuring program compliance.  
  15. Active member of the FHSU Athletic Department and University.
  16. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Relevant, successful coaching experience, preferably at the collegiate level.  Proven ability to teach sport-specific skills and develop successful competitive strategies. Strong communication skills (written and oral), a high level of organization, and attention to detail required.  Public relations skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in a related field.  Relevant, successful coaching experience is required.  Master’s degree preferred.

https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/21888746/head-volleyball-coach



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Men’s track and field wins four events at M City Classic to start indoor season

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December 7, 2025

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The St. Olaf College men’s track and field team had four first-place finishes at the season-opening M City Classic on Friday and Saturday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.

Senior Lance Nemecek, sophomore Jackson Bullock, and senior Kevin Turlington won individual events on the track for St. Olaf, which also had a first-place performance in the 4×400-meter relay. The Oles put recorded five performances that ranked on their all-time top-10 performers’ list at the first indoor meet of the season.

Nemecek, senior Cullen Moore, first year Paxon Myers, and junior Christian Fells all ran top-12 times in NCAA Division III this season in the 800-meter run to post the four fastest times of the day. Nemecek won the event in 1:54.02, followed closely by Moore in 1:54.16, which rank second and third in the country and third and fourth, respectively, on the Oles’ all-time list. Myers edged Fells at the line by one one-hundredth of a second in 1:55.73, as the pair posted the No. 10 and No. 11 times nationally.

Nemecek, Moore, and Myers were joined by sophomore Austin McInturff on the winning 4×400-meter relay, which compiled a time of 3:21.77 to rank second on St. Olaf’s all-time list. That time is just seven one-hundredths of a second off the program record set in 2016 and ranks fifth in the country.

St. Olaf logged the top-three times of the meet in the one-mile run, led by Bullock’s first-place time of 4:23.01. Senior Eli Doran (4:23.04) and junior Alex Bjork (4:23.37) were within half a second of Bullock, with all three Oles posting top-20 times in NCAA Division III to date.

Senior Kevin Turlington added a win in the 5,000-meter run with the fifth-fastest time in NCAA Division III (14:35.39). Fellow senior Gael Manzur Strandlund was third in 15:19.86 as well.

Sophomore Cristian Escobar Pearson bettered his No. 2 time on St. Olaf’s all-time list in the 60-meter dash in both the prelims (7.07) and finals (7.05) to finish eighth in the event. Junior Jesse Olson recorded the No. 8 score on the Oles’ list in the heptathlon (4,153) by registering four personal-bests in the seven-event, two-day competition to take fourth. Olson’s highest finish came in the high jump, where he placed third after clearing 182 meters (5′ 11 ½”).

St. Olaf will be back in 2026 at the Ole Opener at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Tostrud Center.

 



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Minnesota advances to Sweet 16 in NCAA volleyball tournament

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December 7, 2025

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Minnesota volleyball is in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022, and they now have a chance to reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 2021.

After sweeping Fairfield University 3-0 in the first round of the tourney on Friday night at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis, the Gophers dominated Iowa State in a sweep Saturday night to advance to the Sweet 16.

The Gophers took the first set 25-22 before securing the second set 25-21. They crushed the Cyclones 25-14 in the third set to roll into the regional semifinal, where they will face No. 1 Pittsburgh on Thursday for a chance to reach the regional final, which would come with a spot in the Final Four on the line.

The Gophers were seeded fourth in their region, while Iowa State was the No. 5 seed.

Minnesota finished the regular season 22-9 and ranked No. 17 in the AVCA poll. Pittsburgh is ranked No. 4 in the nation, sporting a 28-4 record.

The Minnesota-Pitt regional semifinal will happen at 6 p.m. CT Thursday, and the Panthers will be hosting the match at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh.

The match will be televised on ESPN2.



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Walker’s Record Highlights Indoor Season Opener

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December 7, 2025

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sha’Nard Walker set an event record in the 300m to highlight the start of indoor season, Saturday at the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Walker finished first in the 300m with an event-record 33.56, followed by Jancent Wallace who placed fifth with a 34.07.

In the 400m, Jonathan Gaines finished fifth with a time of 49.52 to lead the Cats, while Dashawn Buist grabbed a top-fiver finish in the 800m with a fourth-place 1:58.05.

For the jumpes, Michael Carter’s 7.27m earned him second in the long jump – he also took home fifth in the triple jump at 14.56m.

On the women’s side Betina Jean took two top-10 finishes -eighth in the 200m with a 25.13 and seventh in the 400m at 58.23.

As for jumps, Darryn Hough finished fifth with a 1.55m in the high jump, while Ay’Keelah Green finished fourth in the long jump with a 5.84m. LaNeeya Garrison finished thrid in the triple jump with an 11.81m.

Kasie Ugeh picked up where she left off a season ago with a fourth-place finish in the shot put at 13.19m.

The full list of B-CU times and finishes is listed below:

Men’s 200m

29. Jemari Sanders    22.98

Men’s 300m

1. Sha’Nard Walker    33.56

5. Jancent Wallace    34.07

10. Ethan Sharpe    35.04

Men’s 400m

5. Jonathan Gaines    49.52

9. Donavan Walker-Collins    49.99

16. Makhii Fleming    50.65

Men’s 800m

4. Dashawn Buist    1:58.05

8. Andre Swewl    20:01.42

Men’s Mile

17. Jalen Jackson    4:43.55

Men’s 3000m

35. Gerrard Griffin    9:32.40

41. Dashon Gill    9:53.49

Men’s High Jump

9. Ashton Matthews    1.95m

Men’s Pole Vault

15. Jabari Armant    4.00m

Men’s Long Jump

2. Michael Carter    7.27m

11. Amarrion Grant    6.84m

17. Bari Willimas    6.53m

Men’s Triple Jump

5. Michael Carter    14.56m

7. Farai Mhende    14.48m

Men’s Shot Put

9. William Rothmiller    14.62m

19. Tyler Washing    12.96m

Men’s Weight Throw

10. Anton Holland    15.64m

Women’s 200m

8. Betina Jean    25.13

18. Haely Grant    25.62

19. Quiaundra Brown    25.69

23. Mariana Morillo    25.76

Women’s 300m

10. Zion Harvey    40.84

11. Amani Jones    40.92

Women’s 400m

7. Betina Jean    58.21

9. Haely Grant    59.10

18. Kavay Johnson    1:01.04

Women’s 1000m

18. Morgan Middleton    3:14.02

Women’s 3000m

14. Valencia Butler    11:20.82

23. Shelvany Goin    12:19.12

Women’s High Jump

5. Darryn Hough    1.55m

10. Selena Rutland    1.50m

21. Soukaina Davis    1.50m

Women’s Long Jump

4. Ay’Keelah Green    5.84m

10. Zion Harvey    5.55m

36. Darryn Hough    4.90m

Women’s Triple Jump

3. LaNeeya Garrison    11.81m

5. Selena Rutland    11.74m

Women’s Shot Put

4. Kasie Ugeh    13.19m

25. Raziyah Ware    10.63m

Women’s Weight Throw

29. Raziyah Ware    10.13m

Follow Bethune-Cookman Cross Country/Track & Field on Twitter and Instagram (BCUXCTF) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) TikTok (@BCUAthletics) and www.bcuathletics.com. 

–#HailWildcats–

 
 



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No. 1 Nebraska volleyball sweeps KSU, advances to NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | Husker Red Zone

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December 7, 2025

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