Synopsis
We are the Institute For Sport & Social Justice (ISSJ), Changing Lives Through the Power of Sport. This show is a discussion, an opportunity and a celebration of women leaders in sports. We will discuss the pathways and challenges that women of color have overcome and explore their unique journeys through sport. We will investigate opportunities to challenge the status quo and action steps for inspiring women to become leaders in sport.Our host is Mat Edelson, journalist and producer appearing on NPR, ABC, ESPN, and in Houghton-Mifflins annual series, The Best American Sports Writing.See Us Now Invisible Women In Sport
Episodes
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Episode 35 - Natasha Oakes
17/04/2023 Duration: 52minA former track and field student-athlete, Oakes is now a highly accomplished professional with over 16 years of experience in athletic administration. Her experiences span being a senior level administrator at a Division-I and Division-II institutions, Assistant Commissioner at one of the oldest and most successful NCAA Division-II conferences, and as an Assistant Director at the NCAA. IWIS is giving you and opportunity to tap into Oakes' vast wealth of knowledge, networks, and experience in collegiate athletic administration. Oakes is excited about sharing her journey and connecting with you. You don't want to miss this episode.
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Episode 34 - Dr. Christina Rivera
14/04/2023 Duration: 59minDR. RIVERA has mastered being a senior level athletic administrator, while being the mother of an early elementary age child. She is a true mentor and role model for those women out there who question if it is possible to do both. Look no further, ladies, DR. RIVERA has some answers to this age old challenge for women. DR. RIVERA has extensive experience at Power 5 Institutions with stints at Ohio State University and the University of Southern California (USC) prior to joining the Bruins staff. Her areas of responsiblity span from student-athlete development, student-athlete support and academic services, Title IX compliance, governance, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. She has received numerous honors and accolades including serving on the NCAA Student-Athlete Experience Committee, Board of Directors for the Collegiate Women In Sports Awards, one of 12 inaugural members of the LEAD1 Diversity Fellowship Program, and a receipient of the Next Level Female Executive Scholarship to attend the 2021 C
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Episode 33 - Cheryl Wong
13/04/2023 Duration: 41minUnderrepresented in athletic administration, WONG, an Asian-American woman, takes great pride in her accomplishments and contributions to sports administration. Her varied experiences spans athletic training, business operations, marketing and partner services, event management, travel operations, and sport supervision. These experiences have laid the foundation for WONG's current role with the PAC-12 Conference. In addition, WONG sits on the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association's (MOAA) National Board as the Chair of the membership committee. Recently, WONG was named to the MOAA Executive Board. In addition, she has been appointed to the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee.
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Episode 32 - Ashley Jocelyn
12/04/2023 Duration: 38minJOCELYN received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Central Florida (UCF). She is a DeVos Sports Business Management alum and a member of one of UCF's most successful women's Track and Field seasons. JOCELYN also holds UCF Track and Field records (400M (indoor), Distance Medley (indoor), and 4x400 relay) and All-American honors. With LA Tech Athletics, JOCELYN serves as the lead on special projects assigned by the Athletics Director, coordinates the day-to-day operations of the executive team, employee engagement initiatives for the athletics department, and much more. JOCELYN has served in the Student-Athlete Development department at Mississippi State University and as an Academic Advisor for UCF Athletics.
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Episode 31 - Ayanna Tweedy
11/04/2023 Duration: 47minTWEEDY is a product of HBCU education and has a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has experienced great success as a senior level athletic administrator at NCAA Division III institutions, and the many roles that are required as a Division III administrator. TWEEDY's leadership has been instrumental in enhancing department policies around student-athlete well-being and best practices to serve the LGBTQ population. She also serves on multiple committees within the community that foster equity of minority athletic administrators and coaches, student-athlete leadership and well-being and LGBTQ rights. TWEEDY embodies unwavering positive energy and ensures to promote diversity and inclusion in all her work. TWEEDY received the Rising Star Award sponsored by the Women Leaders in College Sports organization in 2017. She is also an active member of the Women Leaders in College Sports Organization (WLCS) and serves as a member of Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA).
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Episode 30 - Lisa Campos
03/02/2023 Duration: 40minYou get the opportunity to have an intimate conversation with a first-generation Latina college graduate, who happens to also be a Vice President at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Where else can you have such an experience? Not to mention, CAMPOS has many wonderful experiences to share about her journey as an athletic administrator. Did you know, at one point in her career, CAMPOS was the youngest female, Division I, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics in the country? CAMPOS has been recognized by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 (2017), built $41+ million dollar athletic facilities, negotiated UTSA as host institution for past and future NCAA basketball final four tournaments (both men and women), sits on multiple NCAA councils and committees, all while being a proud wife and mother. SEE US NOW!
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Episode 29 - Noveen Moinpour
03/02/2023 Duration: 47minMOINPOUR's non-traditional path into the sports industry is one you do not want to miss. She is a first-generation Iranian-American with a background that is not particularly sports related. As Director of Marketing and Events for the Pac-12 Conference, her purview encompasses all aspects of strategic marketing, brand management and event production for Pac-12 championships and initiatives. MOINPOUR has a passion for social justice issues. She has been heavily involved in the conference's social justice/anti-racism efforts internally and externally to support, highlight, and amplify the work being done by all PAC-12 member institutions. In the pandemic year, without fans attending conference events, MOINPOUR had an opportunity to really focus on the student-athlete experience and the internal culture at the Pac-12 Conference & Networks. The Pac-12 is a best practices conference when it comes to the student-athlete experience, and MOINPOUR has been an instrumental player in setting that foundation for
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Episode 28 - Dr. Andrea Woodson-Smith
03/02/2023 Duration: 01h11minPrior to her professorship, DR. WOODSON-SMITH was a Division I basketball student-athlete at James Madison University for three years, while consistently suffering through three hip fractures and chronic severe osteoarthritis. However, post college, she received an invite to try out for the American Basketball League (ABL) and also tried out for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). In 2004, DR. WOODSON-SMITH was selected as a member of the USA Paralympic women’s wheelchair basketball team. She participated on the 2006 World Cup team (Silver), 2010 World Cup team (Gold), 2011 Parapan American team (Gold) and finished her career on the 2012 U.S. Paralympic team (4th). Currently, DR. WOODSON-SMITH is on the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Board of Directors as the Vice Chair of the Athlete Advisory Council. She is a member of the Move United Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, the largest Disability Sport Organization in the U.S., and she serves as a Sports Envoy for th
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Episode 27 - Shalisa Griffin
03/02/2023 Duration: 41minGRIFFIN is the product of a historical black college and university (HBCU) education. She received her bachelor's degree from Delaware State University, majoring in sport management, and dual master's degrees (MBA and Sports Business Management) from the University of Central Florida's DeVos Sports Business Management Program. GRIFFIN has made Central Florida her home and high volume sports event management her passion. With GO Sports, GRIFFIN and her team strategically solicit professional, collegiate and youth sports events that generate economic impact in the Greater Orlando area. GRIFFIN manages large scale youth tournaments, high school state championships and NCAA national championships. Recently, GRIFFIN was appointed as chair of the Greater Orlando Youth Sports Task Force, facilitating the efforts of over 40 regional leaders in addressing key issues facing youth participation in organized sports. SEE US NOW!
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Episode 26 - Binh Nguyen
03/02/2023 Duration: 41minAs Director of Academic and Membership Affairs at the NCAA, NGUYEN works directly with senior level faculty and athletic administrators at NCAA Division I instituions, including presidents, athletic directors, and faculty athletic representatives. In this role, NGUYEN develops and implements strategies, policies and legislation to increase the academic success of Division I student-athletes. NGUYEN is a member of many associations including Women Leader's In College Sports, National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC), and and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association to name a few. She is the recipient Women Leaders in College Sports' Judith Sweet Commitment Award (2013) and was a NCAA President’s Award Finalist in 2013. SEE US NOW!
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Episode 21 - Tina Sloan-Green
14/01/2021 Duration: 46minTrailblazer, Tina Sloan-Green, co-founder of the Black Women In Sports Foundation joins us today. Sloan-Green is the first African-American to play on the U.S. Women's National Field Hockey Team, first African-American to coach a women's college lacrosse team (Temple Owls), and the first African-American to win a national championship in women's college lacrosse (Temple Owls, 1982 and 1984), among other "first" in her life. Sloan-Green takes us back to her early athletic career and shares some of her most youthful memories. She also talks about the experiences of being the "first" African-American woman, but her passion was to not be the "only" African-American woman. Sloan-Green shares some insightful thoughts about today's sports mentality, needed opportunities for urban children of color in sports, and the current "pay to play" sports model. She also shares some wisdom about the current state of racial issues plaguing America. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Flor
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Episode 20 - Reshauna Cobb
14/07/2020 Duration: 45minReshauna Cobb, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Director of Academic and Membership Affairs. Reshauna gives us an update from the last time we spoke to her in 2018. In this episode, Reshauna provides insight about how she was able to climb the ranks in NCAA to be a current Director. Within this leadership role, Reshauna discusses the importance of communication, relationship building, and success through empowering others. This episode is one of our more humorous episodes as Reshauna and Tolu (host) share laughs about their former athletic life, dealing with difficult people, and much more. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program Produced by Garnett L. Overby III, Institute For Sport & Social Justice “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”
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Episode 17 - Jasmine Green
15/05/2020 Duration: 31minJasmine Green gives us an update from that last time we spoke with her in 2018. In this episode, Jasmine shares how her mother, Hurricane Katrina, and the LSU Women’s Basketball program are her role models and instrumental in shaping her perspectives. It was through these women that Jasmine has built Harry S. Truman into a recognizable “brand” in Chicago. Jasmine challenges us to “Tap into your greatness” everyday. Jasmine answers many questions about the challenges of being a young woman leader of color, advise how to turn challenges into opportunities, and how to enjoy the journey of life as a woman of color. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program. “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”
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Episode 16 - Amy Huchthausen
01/05/2020 Duration: 26minAmy Huchthausen gives us an update from that last time we spoke with her in 2018. She is now in her ninth year as Commissioner of the America East Conference. In this episode, Amy shares with us her journey from being adopted, to being a student-athlete, and rising to the position of being Commissioner. It was through sports that Amy learned many transferable skills to allow her to be successful in her professional career. Many times in her career, she has been overlooked and it is not uncommon for her to correct stereotypes and remind people that she is “The Commissioner.” In this episode, Amy challenges women to stop making excuses for their gender and harness the power within to achieve that which anyone can achieve, despite gender. This cycle creates internal barriers for women to advance in senior level management positions. Hosted by Tolulope Omokore, graduate student, University of Central Florida, DeVos Sports Business Management Program. “See Us Now – Invisible Women In Sport”
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Episode 15 - Tina Sloan-Green & Traci Green (Part II)
03/01/2019 Duration: 41minToday’s guests are a mother-daughter duo, Tina Sloan-Green and Traci Green. Sloan-Green is the co-founder of Black Women’s Sports Foundation (BWSF), former Head Coach, Women’s Lacrosse at Temple University, International Sports Hall of Fame Member, and the 1st African-American to play on the USA Women’s Lacrosse Team. Green, Sloan-Green’s daughter, is currently the Head Coach, Women’s Tennis at Harvard University. Green is the 1st African-American coach in Harvard University history to win a national championship in any sport. Together, these amazing women take us through their journey of struggle, commitment, perseverance, and celebration in the world of sport. They will take you back to the days of segregation, life as a barrier breaker and being “THE FIRST,” and thriving in a world of non-traditional sports for African-Americans; field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis. These women display a tremendous amount of courage, passion, and fortitude as they share their stories about the struggle of being a trailblaze
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Episode 14 - Tina Sloan-Green & Traci Green (Part I)
19/12/2018 Duration: 38minToday’s guests are a mother-daughter duo, Tina Sloan-Green and Traci Green. Sloan-Green is the co-founder of Black Women’s Sports Foundation (BWSF), former Head Coach, Women’s Lacrosse at Temple University, International Sports Hall of Fame Member, and the 1st African-American to play on the USA Women’s Lacrosse Team. Green, Sloan-Green’s daughter, is currently the Head Coach, Women’s Tennis at Harvard University. Green is the 1st African-American coach in Harvard University history to win a national championship in any sport. Together, these amazing women take us through their journey of struggle, commitment, perseverance, and celebration in the world of sport. They will take you back to the days of segregation, life as a barrier breaker and being “THE FIRST,” and thriving in a world of non-traditional sports for African-Americans; field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis. These women display a tremendous amount of courage, passion, and fortitude as they share their stories about the struggle of being a trailblaz
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Episode 13 - Kelly Mehrtens (Part II)
12/09/2018 Duration: 25minToday’s guest is Kelly Mehrtens. Mehrtens is the Managing Director of The Trust an NFL Player’s Association program that assist NFL players with transition after their NFL careers have ended. She is a former collegiate student-athlete under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) governing body and an international track and field athlete. Mehrtens spent 25 years as a collegiate athletic administrator at six Division I NCAA institutions, including being the Director of Athletics at UNC Wilmington, and playing a vital role in the University of Maryland’s transition into the Big Ten Conference. Mehrtens, a native Floridian, credits her faith-based family structure and sports as the catalyst that allowed her, in her youth, to successfully navigate through deep Southern traditions and mentalities during the Civil Rights Movement. Mehrtens also discusses the challenges that collegiate women administrators have in obtaining skill sets in finance, fundraising, and “football” governance vers
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Episode 12 - Kelly Mehrtens (Part I)
12/09/2018 Duration: 38minToday’s guest is Kelly Mehrtens. Mehrtens is the Managing Director of The Trust an NFL Player’s Association program that assist NFL players with transition after their NFL careers have ended. She is a former collegiate student-athlete under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) governing body and an international track and field athlete. Mehrtens spent 25 years as a collegiate athletic administrator at six Division I NCAA institutions, including being the Director of Athletics at UNC Wilmington, and playing a vital role in the University of Maryland’s transition into the Big Ten Conference. Mehrtens, a native Floridian, credits her faith-based family structure and sports as the catalyst that allowed her, in her youth, to successfully navigate through deep Southern traditions and mentalities during the Civil Rights Movement. Mehrtens also discusses the challenges that collegiate women administrators have in obtaining skill sets in finance, fundraising, and “football” governance versus
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Episode 11 - Jasmine Green
15/08/2018 Duration: 39minToday’s guest is Jasmine Green. Green is the Director of Intercollegiate and Intramural Athletics at Harry S. Truman College (Chicago). Green is a first generation college graduate that has the love of a mother and two older sisters as role models that helped fuel her passion for success. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana and LSU alumna, Green has been exposed to the dynamics and intricacies of many cultures, as well as the impact of how Hurricane Katrina has influenced her perspective. Green talks about her decision to step away from being a young NCAA administrator to take on an athletic leadership role at a community college in Chicago, Illinois. Athletics has provided Green with many opportunities to avoid the stigma of being a “product of her society,” of which Green says she found freedom and liberation to excel as an African-American woman. It is now her desire to be a role model to other student-athletes and give them this same sense of freedom and liberation. Also, Green discusses the importance of
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Episode 10 - Darrice Griffin
15/08/2018 Duration: 29minToday’s guest is Darrice Griffin. Griffin is Deputy Director of Athletic Administration at the University of Georgia. A former NCAA Division I basketball player at Texas Tech University, Griffin shares her experiences of growing up in small town Texas to a teenage mother. She talks about the “village” of women – mother, aunts, and grandmother – that daily modeled and taught her that being a strong black woman meant being focused, persistent, and persevering through all challenges. Some of the early messages she received from her village are, “You have to be ten times better than everyone else.” “You have to be better and you cannot take a day off. . . and you will have your opportunities.” Griffin’s young career has been filled with social activism for gender equality and diversity and inclusion issues. She feels that she has an obligation within her realm of influence in the athletic world to advocate for diversity and inclusion issues. Griffin talks about how there are regional and institutional differenc