Episodes
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Marnie Schneider is a CEO, inspirational speaker, author, and philanthropist. She is a Philadelphia native who now lives in the Carolinas, consistently devoting her time and resources to helping others achieve their victory. Marnie thinks of this as “showing up” on life’s playing field with positivity and energy, day in and day out.
In this episode…From being brought by her grandfather to football games to writing stories about each football city she went to, today's guest continues to share her passion for sports through her book series in hopes of inspiring kids to read and impart lessons on family and friendship.
According to Marnie Schneider, being a female author in the male-dominated sports scene was more of a motivation than a challenge. It inspired her to consistently perform at her best and share the joy of being a sports fan with the kids that read her books.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Marnie Schneider to talk about her first exposure to sports and what pushed her to pursue the pastime as her career. Marnie talks about her experience being a female author of a male-dominated scene and her goal of inspiring kids to find joy in reading. She also gives advice to the young generation interested in pursuing sports.
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Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman is an Associate Professor of American Studies, the Concurrent Associate Professor of History, and the Director of Sport, Media, and Culture at the University of Notre Dame. She teaches and writes about outdoor sports and American culture.
She conducts research focused on sports studies, environmental history, public lands, the American West, and 20th-century American history.
Professor Coleman earned her BA in History from Williams College and her MA and PhD in History at the University of Colorado Boulder.
In this episode…When talking about outdoor sports and recreation, people don’t always think of all the factors at play — access, environmental impact, gender, and race are just a few of the crucial but underrepresented aspects of the subject.
According to Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman, understanding how these factors intersect with outdoor sports and recreation is vital to improving the overall quality of those experiences. Knowing how outdoor recreation has grown into an industry also helps people understand the structural relationships to economies and tourism and how the dynamics of gender, class, and race come into play.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Professor Annie Gilbert Coleman to talk about the intersection between outdoor sports and recreation, race, and gender. Professor Coleman talks about how she found herself in this particular area of study and why it’s important for people to learn about and understand the topic. She also shares what she hopes to achieve in teaching on the subject and what’s next with her research.
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Leigh Wojtkiewicz is the Associate Athletic Director for Data, Analytics & Strategic Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame. She is also the Co-founder of the Sports Data, Analytics & Technology Association which includes an online community platform where aspiring athletes and professionals can connect and share ideas, best practices, and sports analytics.
In this episode…Notre Dame’s renowned educational and athletic programs are only part of what makes them one of the most respected and elite institutions in the US. How do you build a recipe for success at such a high-profile university without losing focus?
Leigh Wojtkiewicz is determined to foster innovation through analytics that would drive Notre Dame Athletics to a new level. Her proven business intelligence and analytics skills have helped numerous other institutions improve efficiency. Now, as part of Notre Dame Athletics, Leigh has set out to revolutionize the analytics and strategy department to achieve excellence in all aspects of sports.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms welcomes Leigh Wojtkiewicz, Associate Athletic Director at the University of Notre Dame and Co-founder of the Sports Data, Analytics & Technology Association. They talk about key aspects of working in a male-dominated industry, the way faith can elevate athletes, and what the future holds for Notre Dame Athletics.
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Angel Szalonek is the President and CEO of Sports Faith, an interactive online magazine that honors the values of Christianity on and off the field, mat, and court. Additionally, Angel is the CEO of Move to Action Services, an in-house employee engagement room designed for workers to explore their creativity, engage in self-paced continuing education and career development, and where teams can form a think tank.
Angel’s path into the sports world was unplanned. Before joining Sports Faith, Angel was an educator and professional opera singer, where she performed in operas, musicals, benefit concerts, plays, and voice-over productions.
In this episode…If you hang out in any sports locker room, you know the coaches and teams usually bow their heads in prayer before taking the court or field. But why is that?
Many say prayer calms pregame jitters and helps players to focus. It can be a way for athletes to share fellowship and form trusted bonds on and off the field. It’s also a way to strengthen relationships, explains Angel Szalonek, President and CEO of Sports Faith.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with Angel Szalonek to discuss how faith and sports intertwine. Angel discusses how that connection created a stronger bond between her and her son and the remarkable opportunities she’s experienced because of Sports Faith. Finally, she offers advice on how to stay rooted in faith.
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Lauren Greenberg is currently a Deputy General Counsel at White & Case LLP, a global law firm. She co-founded the women’s varsity softball team of Dartmouth College, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology. Lauren would eventually get her Juris Doctor degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Erika Beisler is the Associate Director of Market Intelligence at Harvard Business School. She was the co-captain of the softball team of Dartmouth College in 1993. Erika obtained her BA in History from Dartmouth College and an MBA with a focus on marketing and strategy at the Yale School of Management.
In this episode…50 years ago, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was passed into law. Unfortunately, women student athletes still face inequality today. What can women in athletics do to continue the fight and make sure they are given equal support and opportunities?
Erika Beisler and Lauren Greenberg faced the same dilemma as freshmen women athletes in Dartmouth College more than 30 years ago. Throughout their college years, they actively voiced their concerns to the administration and eventually to the Department of Education. They knew something was wrong and did everything in their power to make sure these errors were corrected.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with Erika Beisler and Lauren Greenberg. The two talk about the discrimination and unfair treatment they received as college women athletes and how they fought to keep their college accountable. Erika and Lauren share the difficulties they faced, how they filed a formal complaint against their school, and why they never gave up fighting for equality for women in athletics.
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Grace Luczak is a decorated US rower holding two world records – one current in the Women's Eight Set in 2013 and one former for the U23 Women's Pair. She is a five-time world champion and Olympian and named as one of the Top 10 Female Rowers in the World by World Rowing.
Grace’s rowing career started when her mother saw a newspaper ad offering free college education to rowing student athletes. She hopped in, joined the team, and the rest is history. Grace graduated from Stanford University where she received the Stanford Award for Excellence and won a NCAA Championship.
In this episode…Competitive sports demand significant time, effort, and energy from athletes. How does one cope, maintain their passion, and not get burnout despite the mental and physical rigor?
For Grace Luczak, sports is all about discipline. Everything that you put in, you get out — which can be very rewarding, but frustrating at times.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Grace Luczak, a five-time world champion and Olympian US rower. Grace shares how she got into rowing and her journey from trying out for a club team to eventually taking on the world on the Olympic stage. She also discusses how she maintained her discipline and passion through the years and gives advice for aspiring young athletes.
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Dr. Dana Weintraub is the Co-CEO of the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI), a Clinical Associate Professor for the Division of General Pediatrics at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and a Board Member of the US Soccer Foundation. She has extensive experience both playing and coaching soccer and developing and evaluating after school programs.
Dr. Weintraub obtained her bachelor’s degree in History from Dartmouth College and her M.D. from University of Massachusetts Medical School. She completed her internship, residency, and chief residency in Pediatrics at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and a postdoctoral fellowship in General Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine.
In this episode…Studies have shown that participating in team sports provides many social and psychological benefits for children. Yet, due to the competitive nature of sports, young girls often lack the confidence to pursue them. So, how can we empower girls to become involved in this activity?
As an experienced coach, Dr. Dana Weintraub maintains the importance of fostering inclusion and providing support for girls on elementary school sports teams. Through her organization, she teaches girls the power of leadership, teamwork, and respect. By giving girls the opportunity to play sports at a young age, Dana encourages them to continue throughout their lives.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms hosts Dr. Dana Weintraub of the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI), to talk about the importance of sports for youth. Dr. Weintraub shares her role as a doctor in the sports industry, BAWSI’s mission, how sports benefit children, and the importance of females having access to sports at a young age.
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Dr. Courtney Boucher is a Research Assistant in the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport and an instructor for Research Methods in the Kinesiology department at the University of Minnesota. She obtained her PhD from the same university, where she studied Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Sociology.
Hannah Silva-Breen is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at West Virginia University, where she is currently studying to get her PhD in Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology. She is passionate about helping others through mental healthcare, sport, exercise, and education.
In this episode…Despite the rise of female sports icons in recent years, sports is still a predominantly masculine space. Aside from becoming athletes, what other career options are available for women in the sports world?
Dr. Courtney Boucher and Hannah Silva-Breen are respected researchers and educators in the sports academe. They both began as athletes before finding their passion in studying sports and eventually teaching.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms hosts Dr. Courtney Boucher and Hannah Silva-Breen. They share their journey from young hockey and basketball players to pursuing sports research and psychology. They talk about their profession and how such career paths in sports are often lesser-known options to students. Lastly, they discuss the lack of female leaders and mentors in sports and how this impacts young and aspiring female athletes.
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Mina Bakhshi is a young Afghan woman who, in the summer of 2021, had just finished high school and was preparing to start university while pursuing her athletic interests in soccer and climbing. Her life was abruptly turned upside down the day Kabul fell. But with the help of Ascend Athletics, a nonprofit focusing on the empowerment of Afghan girls through climbing and leadership training, Mina was able to summon the courage to escape, start a new life for herself, and help others who remain behind.
In this episode…When the Taliban took over Mina Bakhshi’s province, her dreams were crushed. But with all odds against her, Mina found a way to flee to safety and now works to empower others with similar challenges. How did Mina do it?
In the summer of 2021, Mina made a life-changing decision. With the support of Ascend Athletics, she found a way out. Mina had to pack up her belongings in just five minutes, leave her family behind, and take a bus to a Northern province. After a long and uncertain journey, Mina settled in North Carolina and now serves as a translator for other Afghan refugees. Her message to those left behind? There is light after darkness — you just have to stay strong.
Inspired by Mina’s story of strength and perseverance, host Meredith Syms submitted this episode to The New York Times’ fifth annual podcast contest. Among submissions from over 1,600 students, Mina’s powerful story stood out, and Meredith’s episode was deemed a winner.
In this New York Times award-winning episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with Afghan refugee, Mina Bakhshi, to share her story of hope and bravery. Mina talks about the risk she took after Kabul fell, the organizations that helped her flee to safety, and her hopes for those left behind in Afghanistan.
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McCall Hall is the Director of Community Outreach for the Athletics Department at the University of Southern California. Prior to that, McCall worked on a variety of projects within the sports business and media fields.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Washington and a Masters of Business in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Southern California.
In this episode…From little seeds grow mighty trees. The sports superstars that we know today were once young, aspiring athletes who trained and worked hard to reach their full potential. How do we support these young athletes and inspire them to pursue their passion?
McCall Hall currently works with 650 student athletes and hosts events and activities for them on a weekly basis. Her vision and goal has always been to plant the seed — instill the love for sports early on and inspire them to be disciplined and continue training as they grow up.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with McCall Hall, the Director of Community Outreach for the Athletics Department at the University of Southern California. McCall shares the story of how she got into sports, her sports media career, and how she transitioned to the sports community side. She talks about the weekly sports programs she provides for young athletes and gives a piece of advice for women who want to go down a path where females aren’t always supported.
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Olga Harvey is the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer of the Women's Sports Foundation. She has over 20 years of business expertise and an unquenchable enthusiasm for sports.
Olga's first experience in sports and philanthropy was when she managed marketing, special events, and development at the New York Junior Tennis & Learning.
She participated on the varsity tennis team at Cornell University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business management and marketing. Olga captained the squad and holds a 21-0 singles record in Ivy League competition. She won the Ivy League Player of the Year Award twice, and in 2006, Cornell put her into their athletic hall of fame.
In this episode…In the male-dominated world of sports, female athletes are almost always sidelined. There is disparity in the support system, funding, and opportunities between athletes from each gender. However, the expectations are equal — or sometimes even higher — for women.
According to Olga Harvey, it is crucial that girls and women in sports are educated and empowered emotionally, financially, and mentally. Though there has been progress in gender equity in sports, there’s much more that needs to be done.
In this episode of Sports Up, Meredith Syms hosts Olga Harvey of the Women’s Sports Foundation. They talk about philanthropy, gender equity, mental health, and women in the sports industry. Olga shares how she found herself getting into the sports world and eventually working in an organization that focuses on helping women thrive in sports through research, partnerships, advocacy, and community impact.
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Julia Schorr is a Social Media Coordinator for the New York Yankees. She has worked in journalism and PR throughout her education and beyond, assuming various roles at Legends, Overtime, and The Daily Pennsylvanian. In high school, she founded her own company, Myumi Designs, through which she created and marketed designs and logos for major organizations, schools, and businesses.
In this episode…The sports world is versatile, with a wide variety of job opportunities. It’s a highly sought-after career, but only a handful can break into the industry. With so many angles to approach from, it can be difficult to choose one and run with it — but no matter the angle, certain skills and strategies are universally important.
New York Yankees Social Media Coordinator Julia Schorr recommends making yourself a veritable Swiss Army Knife of skills so employers can’t ignore your versatility. In her case, a passion for sports, graphic design and networking paved her way to the career she enjoys today.
On this episode of Sports Up, Meredith Syms talks with Julia Schorr about the many opportunities present in the sports industry. She shares what a typical game day looks like for social media content creation, the key skills that made her attractive to employers, and how her mentors and supporters have helped push her forward. Tune in!
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Nona Lee is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks, where she’s worked for nearly two decades. Nona is also a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders. Before joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nona was the Vice President and Associate General Counsel for the Phoenix Suns and an Associate at Gallagher & Kennedy and Meyer Hendricks. She is active in the sports industry and community, serving on the board of directors for the Sports Lawyers Association. Additionally, she serves on the board of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, as well as its membership and diversity and inclusion committees.
In this episode…How has the sports industry evolved over the years, and how can we continue to improve its future?
Nona Lee, who has been in the industry for almost 20 years, has seen firsthand the changes that are shaking up the world of sports. Early in her career, Nona didn’t have the opportunity for professional mentorship — because there weren’t any women in seats of power. As the industry evolves, Nona and other advocates for change are calling for more diverse leaders to foster greater opportunity and inclusion for everyone.
In this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with Nona Lee, the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, to talk about diversity and transformation in the sports industry. Nona discusses the importance of being a continuous learner, how she dealt with unconscious biases throughout her career, and her advocacy for more diverse leadership in the sports world.
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Tracy Sandler is the CEO and Founder of the Fangirl Sports Network (FGSN). FGSN is a network of women providing fans with knowledgeable, passionate, and humorous content about their favorite professional teams. Tracy is a renowned sports reporter who first started blogging about the 49ers in 2015 to bring fans the latest news about the San Francisco team. Since then, she has grown her blog into FGSN and now covers all eight NFL teams across the AFC and NFC West, as well as 15 NBA teams.
In this episode…If you’re a woman hoping to pursue a career in the sports industry, chances are you’ve received your fair share of doubt and disbelief. But the fact remains: there are many successful women crushing it in the professional sports industry as we speak. So, how did they get to where they are today?
Tracy Sandler is a prime example of a woman breaking the glass ceiling in sports. She started as a credentialed sports reporter with a “just-for-fun” blog about the 49ers. That hobby has now grown into a thriving media company that produces content for female sports fans. While Tracy found an encouraging team and supportive mentors along the way, she realizes that not everyone has the same support. That’s why she’s here to share her advice for other women trying to make it in the sports industry.
On this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Tracy Sandler, the Founder and CEO of Fangirl Sports Network, to share her advice for women pursuing a career in sports. Tracy talks about the mission of Fangirl Sports Network, why authenticity is at the core of everything FGSN does, and how to let your work and preparation speak for itself.
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Samantha Pickens is a decorated diver and a member of the USA diving team. Samantha started diving at the age of 13 and has since competed around the world — including winning sixth place at the 2020 World Cup in Tokyo, Japan. Samantha majored in psychology at the University of Arizona while she trained under the direction of Coach Omar Ojeda.
In this episode…Most young athletes dream of competing in the Olympics, but what does it take to make that a reality? What does day-to-day life look like for competitive athletes — and how do they balance their mental health with the pressure of competition?
Meet Samantha Pickens, a member of the USA diving team. She first fell in love with swimming and competitive gymnastics, but after racking up injuries from the balance beam, she needed to find another outlet. A friend recommended combining her two passions and pursuing diving. After just a few months, Samantha was hooked — and the rest is history.
On this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Samantha Pickens, a decorated diver and a member of the USA diving team. Samantha describes her intense daily practice routine, how she makes her mental health a priority, and what she learned from competing in Tokyo. She also shares her advice for balancing your mind and body as an athlete.
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Marina LeGree is the Founder and Executive Director of Ascend Athletics, a nonprofit organization that has been empowering girls in Afghanistan since 2014. The organization’s athletic-based leadership training gives Afghan girls the tools to discover their potential. Through mountain climbing achievements and community activism, these girls learn how to become leaders and role models.
In this episode…How can sports transform lives? What can you do to empower young athletes — especially those who are looking to escape desperate situations?
Meet Marina LeGree, who has dedicated her career to empowering girls in Afghanistan through her nonprofit organization, Ascend Athletics. Ascend uses sports to build leadership skills and teamwork. Marina teaches girls that they’re not property — they deserve to follow their own path.
On this episode of the Sports Up podcast, Meredith Syms is joined by Marina LeGree, the Founder and Executive Director of Ascend Athletics, to discuss how Ascend is empowering girls in Afghanistan through sports. Marina talks about why she chose Afghanistan to build her program, how Ascend is transforming the way Afghan girls see themselves, and how those girls have been impacted by the recent Taliban takeover.
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Charlotte Brackett is the Assistant Director of Varsity Athletics Communications at Dartmouth College. After serving as the department’s intern, she was promoted to the full-time assistant position in 2015. Before this, Charlotte interned at MIT and worked as the Athletic Public Relations Student Assistant at the University of Richmond, where she received her BA in English and Journalism. She has also been a competitive swimmer her entire life and was a member of the University of Richmond’s varsity swim team.
In this episode…What is it like being a female sportswriter in 2021? According to Charlotte Brackett, it involves a heavy workload, game-day reporting, and some mansplaining — but that hasn’t stopped her from achieving her dream job in the field of college sports.
Charlotte was a competitive swimmer her entire life and graduated college with a degree in English, but she never considered blending her two passions together. It wasn’t until she interned in the sports departments at the University of Richmond and MIT that she fell in love with sports writing. Charlotte is now going on seven years as a sportswriter at Dartmouth College, and she’s here to share her advice to other women and minorities looking to join the sports industry.
On this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms chats with Charlotte Brackett, the Assistant Director of Varsity Athletics Communications at Dartmouth College, about how she launched her career in sports writing. Charlotte discusses her background in swimming, the gender gap in the sports industry, and how she avoids burnout while reporting on multiple teams at once. Stay tuned for more!
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Anne Doepner is the Director of Inclusion & Employee Investment for the Minnesota Vikings. As the first person dedicated to diversity and inclusion for an NFL team, Anne strives to create a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging. She has been involved in sports for most of her career, previously serving as the Director of Football Administration for the Vikings. Anne also founded the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE) and serves on the Board of Directors. She has been featured on NBC Sports and has received many accolades for her work.
In this episode…Why does diversity and inclusion matter in sports? What does it take to create a more welcoming sports industry for women and minorities? And, how can we continue to pave the way for equality in sports in 2021 and beyond?
As the Director of Inclusion & Employee Investment for the Minnesota Vikings, Anne Doepner is paving the way for marginalized groups in the sports industry. In addition to being the first full-time person dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the NFL, Anne has also launched the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE). Today, she’s here to share her story and explain the importance of diversity and inclusion in sports — especially now.
On this inspiring episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms sits down with the Director of Inclusion & Employee Investment for the Minnesota Vikings, Anne Doepner. Anne discusses how she came to work for the NFL, what diversity and inclusion means to her, and how she is championing other women and minorities in the sports industry. You don’t want to miss this episode!
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Kelsey Parks Smith is the Coordinator of Programs for Student Athlete Development and Enhancement at Smith College. In this role, Kelsey develops, plans, and facilitates programming for student athletes in the areas of diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, and student leadership. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Smith College and her master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Loughborough University. Kelsey is also a former competitive equestrian and has been riding for over 22 years.
In this episode…What role does psychology play in sports? How does a person’s gender, race, or sexuality impact their experience as an athlete? These are the questions on Kelsey Parks Smith’s mind.
Kelsey is the Coordinator of Programs for Student Athlete Development and Enhancement at Smith College. As a former equestrian, she translated her love of riding horses into her passion for helping college athletes gain confidence and improve their performance. With a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Kelsey is interested in how gender, race, and sexuality impact athletes — and what she can do to empower the next generation.
On this exciting episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms talks with Kelsey Parks Smith, a former competitive equestrian and the current Coordinator of Programs for Student Athlete Development and Enhancement at Smith College. Kelsey discusses her background in sports psychology, the role that gender, race, and sexuality play in athletics, and how she is working to empower female and minority college athletes. Stay tuned!
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Kristen Smith is the Assistant Director of Athletic Integrated Communications at The University of Memphis. She graduated from Florida State University in 2020 with a master's degree in Sport Management. Before that, Kristen interned at a variety of organizations, including NBC Sports Group, Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl, and the University of Kentucky. She also recently launched her own boutique PR agency, KTS Consulting, where she works with minority-owned and women-owned businesses.
In this episode…What does a typical day in the life of a college Athletic Director look like? What about for a woman looking to break into the typically male-dominated sports communications industry? Kristen Smith knows firsthand.
Kristen is the Assistant Director of Athletic Integrated Communications at The University of Memphis. However, landing this position wasn’t easy. As she says, women still face their fair share of challenges when entering a career in sports—but, with grit and determination, nothing is impossible. After persisting and landing a job in her dream industry, Kristen is now focused on helping other women and minorities do the same.
In this episode of the Sports Up Podcast, Meredith Syms talks with Kristen Smith, the Assistant Director of Athletic Integrated Communications at The University of Memphis, about what it means to be a woman in the sports communications industry. Kristen discusses why she decided to pursue a career in sports communications, the challenges she faced along the way, and the women who inspired her journey. You don’t want to miss this exciting episode!
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